Department for Transport

Railways: Infrastructure

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will increase the requirements placed on Network Rail to consult local communities on infrastructure planning.

Claire Perry: Network Rail has to comply with all relevant legislation in carrying out works on its network. It also has to comply with the terms of its Network Licence, enforced by the Office of Rail and Road, which includes provision on dealings with stakeholders and maintenance of long term plans for the network. Any changes to these licence requirements are a matter for the Office of Rail and Road.Network Rail works with over 60 Community Rail Partnerships (a government initiative). This involves local people in the development and promotion of local and rural routes, services and stations, aiming to increase passenger numbers and freight use and improve the revenue and efficiency of services.

Piracy

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for (a) Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and (b) Defence on supporting international efforts to protect UK ships against pirates.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The Secretary of State for Transport has not had direct discussions recently with either the Secretary of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office or the Secretary of State for Defence on the subject of piracy.The UK’s response to piracy involves many Government departments and the different teams working within them. Officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Department for Business Innovation & Skills, Home Office, Department for Transport and Ministry of Defence work closely together in supporting international efforts to protect UK ships against pirates.The Foreign and Commonwealth Office lead the UK’s policy on piracy whilst my Department is responsible for the UK’s policy on maritime armed security guards.

Shipping: Greater London

Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the total cost was of London International Shipping Week (LISW) 2013; how much of that cost was borne by his Department; and what those costs were for LISW 2015.

Mr Robert Goodwill: London International Shipping Week is an industry-led and organised week, comprising over 80 events arranged by many organisations. The total cost of the week is not, therefore, information which is held by the Government.The Department hosted or jointly hosted a small number of key events in both years, costing just over £4,000 in 2013 and £5,500 in 2015.

Shipping: Greater London

Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many officials from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (a) spoke at and (b) attended scheduled events during London International Shipping Week 2015.

Mr Robert Goodwill: Sir Alan Massey, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, spoke at a scheduled event to promote the UK Ship Register, and 39 officials attended scheduled events during London International Shipping Week 2015.

Shipping: Greater London

Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many officials in his Department worked at events scheduled as part of London International Shipping Week 2015.

Mr Robert Goodwill: Department for Transport (DfT) and Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) officials (excluding Ministerial Private Secretaries) worked at the following events scheduled as part of London International Shipping Week 2015:At the joint Government/Maritime UK Welcome Reception at Lancaster House, 28 officials worked in a voluntary capacity (as the event took place outside of normal working hours) to support the event.At the “Celebration of International Partnership” reception, jointly hosted with the Ministry of Defence, 13 officials worked in a voluntary capacity (as the event took place outside of normal working hours) to support the Royal Navy in delivering the event.Maritime security officials within DfT organised two security-related seminars which involved 5 and 3 officials respectively.The MCA organised a reception to promote the UK Ship Register, at which 4 officials worked.In addition, 4 DfT and MCA officials delivered speeches/presentations at HMG events during the week and DfT Ministers attending government and industry organised events were accompanied by a Private Secretary.

Shipping: Greater London

Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many officials in his Department were involved in preparatory work for London International Shipping Week 2015.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The Departmental team of three who lead on maritime promotion and partnership worked on the preparatory work for London International Shipping Week 2015, among their other duties, and were overseen by a Senior Civil Servant.Due to the importance, scale and complexity of the week, the core team received ad hoc support and advice from across the Department and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, many of whom were volunteers and assisted alongside their day to day duties.

Shipping: Greater London

Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, by what criteria he judged the success of London International Shipping Week (LISW) 2013; and what criteria he used to judge the success of LISW 2015.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The success criteria used to judge the success of London International Shipping Week, both in 2013 and 2015, were:To establish LISW as a major global shipping event through which to showcase the UK’s maritime and marine sectors;To attract the attendance of senior international maritime leaders and influential stakeholders to enable the UK maritime sector and HMG to engage effectively and promote the UK’s maritime offering;To deliver a series of high quality events focussing on promoting London’s maritime offering in 2013 and “maritime thought leadership” in 2015;To enable high level interaction between senior HMG and UK industry with international maritime stakeholders reinforcing the fact that the UK remains a major maritime nation; andTo raise the profile of the UK maritime sector both internationally and domestically.

Maritime and Coastguard Agency: Visits Abroad

Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many times officials from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency have visited overseas counterparts to discuss maritime policies since May 2010; and what the destinations were in each such case.

Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many times (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department have visited overseas counterparts to discuss maritime policies since May 2010; and what the destinations were in each such case.

Mr Robert Goodwill: Details of Ministers’ overseas visits are published, as part of the Ministerial transparency data for the Department for Transport, at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministerial-transparency-data .Visits by Ministers, Departmental officials and officials from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency for the purposes of discussing maritime policies are not centrally recorded, and gathering the information requested would incur disproportionate costs.Ministers and officials regularly meet overseas partners to discuss maritime policies, and these include those held at the International Maritime Organization in London and at the Institutions of the European Union.

High Speed 2 Railway Line

Keir Starmer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reasons the objection in the Euston Area Plan on prioritising local people's needs adopted by the London Borough of Camden, the Mayor of London and Transport for London in January 2015 is not referred to in the Supplementary Environmental Statement for High Speed 2.

Mr Robert Goodwill: HS2 Ltd deposited an Additional Provision (AP3) to the HS2 Phase One hybrid Bill and a Supplementary Environmental Statement (SES2) on 16 September 2015. AP3 and SES2 include revised plans for London Euston station.SES2 reports on the likely significant environmental effects of updated environmental information and changes that are new but within the powers already being sought under the Bill and within the limits described in it. Changes that go beyond the existing powers and limits described in the Bill are contained in AP3.The purpose of SES2 however is not to consider objections to the proposed changes; these are considered through the relevant consultation and petitioning processes.

High Speed 2 Railway Line

Keir Starmer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make provision for additional compensation schemes for people in (a) the London Borough of Camden and (b) other parts of London, supplementary to the existing High Speed 2 compensation scheme and similar to the additional support provided to people in rural areas affected by that project.

Mr Robert Goodwill: HS2 property compensation schemes in urban areas already go well beyond what is required by law. There are no plans to extend the rural provisions to the London Borough of Camden or other parts of London.

Crossrail 2 Line

Keir Starmer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his policy is on the proposed Crossrail 2 project; and what assessment he has made of the relationship between that project and the successful completion of work on High Speed 2 at Euston Station.

Mr Robert Goodwill: A decision is yet to be taken on Government support for or investment in Crossrail 2.The current safeguarding direction represents the proposed route and includes an area north of the Euston Road, necessary if Crossrail 2 was to serve Euston Station.The completion of work on High Speed 2 at Euston Station is not dependent on the construction of Crossrail 2.

Railways: Devon

Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what geological assessment his Department has made to ensure the stability of (a) the sea wall at Dawlish, (b) the cliff at Teignmouth and (c) the line between Newton Abbott and Plymouth.

Claire Perry: Network Rail is carrying out a further study to look at options to increase the long term geo-environmental resilience of the existing main line from Exeter to Newton Abbot. The study looks at the coastal and sea wall elements and the cliffs. It is due to be fully complete in April 2016 with an options assessment report available by the end of 2015. There has been no geological assessment of the rail route from Newton Abbot to Plymouth.

Roads: Rural Areas

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what research he has commissioned on the condition of rural roads.

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he plans to take to ensure that local authorities fix potholes during winter 2015-16.

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, which three counties he projects will receive the most funding from his Department for road repairs in the next three years.

Andrew Jones: The Department for Transport has not commissioned any research in respect to the condition of rural roads.In December 2014 it was announced how this Government is allocating record funding of just under £6 billion to local authorities in England, outside London, for highways maintenance between 2015 and 2021. This funding can be used to fix potholes and improve the condition of the rural road network depending on the priorities and needs of the respective highway authority.The following weblink provides information on how much funding is to be allocated between now and 2021 to local highway authorities for local highways maintenance. The funding is based on a formula which includes the length of carriageway an authority is responsible for rather than need:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/highways-maintenance-funding-allocations-201516-to-202021Herefordshire County Council will receive over £60 million between 2015 and 2021 from this funding.

A417

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress is being made to create a safer road layout on the A417 at Birdlip Hill roundabout; and what plans he has to convert that road to a dual carriageway.

Andrew Jones: As part of the Autumn Statement 2014 and the Roads Investment Strategy for 2015-2020, the ‘A417 Missing Link’ has been included as an improvement scheme for the South West. During this Road Period Highways England (HE) is preparing this scheme ready for delivery in the next Road Period, 2020-2025. The scheme will be designed to remove the congestion and safety problems between Cowley Roundabout and Crickley Hill.The scheme is currently nearing the end of the pre-options stage. To date HE has investigated the viability of scheme solutions. This included engaging consultants to review the traffic modelling for the area and to assess the environmental and economic impacts and constraints. The benefits and risks of the various options have been captured and cost estimates for the options prepared. Highways England have been working closely with key stakeholders on the options including Gloucestershire County Council, Cotswold Conservation Board and the Gloucestershire Local Nature Partnership. At this stage a number of potential solutions are still under analysis and the next stage is formal options identification.

Motorways: Speed Limits

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to reduce the duration of speed restrictions for repair and maintenance on the M4, M5 and M50 motorways.

Andrew Jones: As part of the Government’s Road Investment Strategy, major improvements and renewals are being delivered across the strategic road network to deliver smoother, safer and more reliable journeys for road users. To keep traffic moving through the work sites, speed restrictions are necessary to keep both road workers and road users safe. Highways England meets regularly with its contractors to review current work programmes and accelerate activities where possible so that speed restrictions are not maintained for any longer than is necessary.

Large Goods Vehicles: Licensing

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department plans to provide assistance to companies in training personnel to gain HGV qualifications.

Andrew Jones: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is responsible for funding the Trailblazer apprenticeships programme and the industry is developing a standard for an HGV Driver apprenticeship. Funding for obtaining an HGV licence is not currently in scope of Trailblazers but this is under review. BIS will consider what the new funding model will be with the introduction of the new apprenticeship levy.

Large Goods Vehicle Drivers

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the number of HGV drivers in the UK relative to demand.

Andrew Jones: The Department recognises that there is a high demand for HGV drivers in the UK and that there is a shortage, manifesting itself in pressure on costs, delays to some deliveries and the recruitment of people from outside the UK.

Large Goods Vehicle Drivers

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans his Department has to increase the number of HGV drivers.

Andrew Jones: The Department is working with its motoring services agencies to reduce times and delays in obtaining a driving test appointment and medical licence renewals.Other government activity is helping jobseekers join the industry, retraining ex-military personnel and supporting apprenticeships.

Air Pollution

Ben Howlett: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to improve air quality in order to assist people with lung diseases.

Andrew Jones: Tackling poor air quality is a priority for this government. Our aim is for almost every car and van to be a zero emission vehicle by 2050.The Department for Transport takes its environmental obligations seriously, and is committed to making journeys cleaner. £2 billion has been committed since 2011 to increase the uptake of ultra-low emission vehicles, support green transport initiatives and support local authorities to take action. These measures will help address both particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide roadside levels in pollution hotspots.We also work closely with the Department for Health, Public Health England, and their advisors the Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants.Government is revising its Air Quality plans and launched a consultation on 12 September 2015 to seek views from local and transport authorities, businesses and members of the public on action that can be taken to improve air quality. The Department for Transport have been working with Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) on these plans, which set out a range of local, national and European actions to lower levels of harmful emissions. The consultation closes on 6 November 2015.

Railways: Electrification

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 1 July 2015 to Question 4425, when he expects Network Rail to publish an update to its industry electrification strategy.

Claire Perry: The Department expects that the industry electrification strategy will be published by Network Rail as a draft for consultation in early 2016, taking into account the outcome of the review by Sir Peter Hendy of Network Rail’s programme of rail investment.

Bus Services: Greater London

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many times his Department received complaints that an Oyster machine is not working properly on a London bus in each of the last four years.

Claire Perry: I am not aware of the Department for Transport having received any such complaints.

Public Transport: West Midlands

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department has taken to review the adequacy of public transport options in the West Midlands; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Jones: Local transport authorities across England are responsible for public transport in their local areas, as has been the case under previous Administrations. This includes the development of policies relating to local transport, including public transport, and the preparation and publication of a local transport plan. In the Metropolitan area of the West Midlands, this responsibility sits with the West Midlands Integrated Transport Authority.In the 2015 Summer Budget, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced £5million for Midlands Connect, a partnership of Local Authorities and Local Enterprise Partnerships from across the Midlands, to develop its transport vision and strategy for transforming transport connectivity across the region in order to drive economic growth. Officials from the Department for Transport continue to work with Midlands Connect and the partnership launched their approach to this task today.

Roads: West Midlands

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department has taken to review the safety of roads and highways in the West Midlands; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Jones: The Department for Transport has not undertaken a review of safety of the roads of highways in the West Midlands as this is a matter for the local highway authorities and Highways England.

Crossrail 2 Line

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he plans to make an assessment of the case for an Eastern Branch of Crossrail 2 serving Hackney Central, Hackney Wick, Stratford, East Ham and Barking.

Claire Perry: No Government decision has yet been taken on Crossrail 2 and the alignment is principally a matter for the Mayor of London.The recently established National Infrastructure Commission have been tasked with work to establish the best approach to large-scale investment in London’s transport infrastructure which may have implications for Crossrail 2 going forward. They will provide advice to Government by Budget 2016.

Department for Communities and Local Government

Temporary Accommodation

Owen Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the reasons for the increase in the number of people relying on temporary accommodation since 2010.

Mr Marcus Jones: Provision of temporary accommodation ensures that homeless households in priority need are not left without a roof over their heads.We have provided more than £500 million since 2010 to support local authorities and the voluntary and community sector to tackle and prevent homelessness. This has helped prevent homelessness for 935,000 households.Households leaving temporary accommodation now spend, on average, 7 months less in temporary accommodation than they did in 2010.The numbers of households in temporary accommodation remain well below their peak, when they hit 101,000 in 2004.

Right to Buy Scheme

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what information he received about risks connected with the proposed right to buy scheme during the planning of that scheme.

Brandon Lewis: The Government has a manifesto commitment to extend the Right to Buy to 1.3 million housing association tenants.The deal we have made with the National Housing Federation ensures that housing associations will give their tenants the opportunity to buy their home with an equivalent discount to the Right to Buy, delivering the manifesto commitment.The Government is in discussion with the National Housing Federation and the housing association sector to ensure that the right arrangements are put in place to support the implementation and delivery of the proposals.

Housing Benefit

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what estimate his Department has made of the potential effects of the provisions of the Housing and Planning Bill on the total amount of spending on housing benefit in each of the next five years.

Brandon Lewis: The Government will continue to assess the impacts of the Housing and Planning Bill as it progresses through Parliament. We will publish our assessments on Parliament's website athttp://services.parliament.uk/bills/2015-16/housingandplanning/documents.html.These will be updated as further assessments are undertaken.

Social Rented Housing

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what forecast he has made of whether the total stock of local authority homes will increase or decrease in the next five years.

Brandon Lewis: The Department for Communities and Local Government has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Affordable Housing

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect of the provisions of the Housing Bill on the supply of affordable housing for rent in each of the next five years; and if he will publish the data on which that assessment is based.

Brandon Lewis: The Government will continue to assess the impacts of the Housing and Planning Bill as it progresses through Parliament. We will publish our assessments on Parliament's website at:http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2015-16/housingandplanning/documents.html.These will be updated as further assessments are undertaken.

Homelessness

Melanie Onn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the homelessness prevention grant.

Mr Marcus Jones: The Homelessness Prevention Grant is part of our £500 million investment in local authority and voluntary sector homelessness services. It has helped local authorities to prevent 935,800 households from becoming homeless since 2010.

Right to Buy Scheme

Ruth Cadbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will estimate the number of homes to be sold under the right to buy policy which are likely to become private rental properties (a) in total and (b) in London.

Brandon Lewis: Under Right to Buy there are financial restrictions in place for re-sale within 5 years, and councils have the right of first refusal to buy back the property for up to 10 years at market value.What a Right to Buy owner chooses to do with their property after they've bought it is up to them, just as it is for other home buyers on the open market. Mortgage providers and landlords may place restrictions on letting in the terms of the sale.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Turkey: Politics and Government

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effects of recent political instability in Turkey.

Mr David Lidington: The government continues to monitor closely developments in Turkey. We acknowledge Turkey’s right to defend itself against terrorist attacks, whoever the perpetrator. We welcome reports of a PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party) ceasefire and hope that peace talks will resume soon. It is vital that the parliamentary elections on 1 November pass without further incident.

Mediterranean Sea: Human Trafficking

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of recent UK efforts to prevent people smuggling in the Mediterranean.

Mr David Lidington: We are working with our EU partners in tackling those criminal elements who are involved in migrant smuggling and human trafficking. The EU Naval Forces Operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med – shortly to be renamed Operation Sophia) was launched on 22 June and is now in its second phase which aims to locate, interdict and seize smuggling vessels, and detain suspected smugglers, on the high seas. The UK has been one of the largest EU contributors to this mission. HMS ENTERPRISE has been deployed since 4 July and she will shortly be joined by HMS RICHMOND with her organic Lynx helicopter, Royal Marines boarding party and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for enhanced surveillance.A recently passed United Nations Security resolution, (http://www.un.org/en/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=S/RES/2240(2015), endorses our actions on the high seas under the EUNAVFOR Med operation. The UK was at the forefront of securing this resolution.In addition, the UK’s multi-agency Organised Immigration Crime (OIC) Taskforce builds on existing extensive law enforcement capability in the UK and overseas focusing on the crime networks in source countries, transit points including the Mediterranean as well as at the UK border and France. The Taskforce is already working with international partners, actively sharing intelligence and progressing criminal investigations.The OIC Taskforce builds on the existing progress made by Immigration Enforcement and others to tackle the gangs that target the most vulnerable. Last year UK law enforcement disrupted more than 170 organised crime gangs involved in immigration crime while so far this year, Immigration Enforcement alone has seen 48 convictions and the disruption of 27 organised crime gangs.

Gibraltar: Spain

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Spanish counterpart on incursions into Gibraltarian waters by Spanish ships in recent months.

Mr David Lidington: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend, the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond ) raised unlawful incursions with the Spanish government when he visited Spain in February. The Government has raised a number of serious unlawful incursions directly with the Spanish government at a senior level in recent months. I did this most recently on 12 September during a meeting with the Spanish Minister for Europe, Fernando Eguidazu Palacios.

Bahrain: Human Rights

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to encourage the government of Bahrain to hold talks with the opposition in Bahrain on human rights in that country; and what representations he has received on the arrest and trials of Ali Salman and Ebrahim Sharif.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: We continue to encourage the Government of Bahrain to make progrerss with an open and inclusive national dialogue. We continue to monitor the cases of Ali Salman and Ebrahim Sharif as well as actions taken against other opposition activists. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my righthon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) raised human rights with his Bahraini counterpart, Sheikh Khalid Bin Ahmad al Khalifa at their last meeting on 13 October. We also continue to raise these cases with the Government of Bahrain, at all levels, and call for them to ensure due process is followed.

Gaza

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what support he is giving to EU proposals to provide sea access to Gaza.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The EU, with UK encouragement, has examined a number of options to encourage an easing of movement and access into and out of Gaza. This includes the possibility of EU assistance in establishing a sea-link from Gaza to another international port, currently envisaged in Cyprus. The UK and EU have consistently called on the Government of Israel to ease movement, including at sea, and will continue to do so. We have also been pushing for an increase in the size of the fishing zone off the coast of Gaza, in line with the limit of twenty nautical miles stipulated in the Oslo accords. On 10 September, during Israeli Prime Minister Mr Netanyahu’s visit to the UK, the Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr David Cameron), and the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Runnymead and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), emphasised the importance of improving access to Gaza.

Iran: Human Rights

Ben Howlett: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the human rights situation in Iran.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: Our assessment of human rights in Iran can be found in the FCO Human Rights Report, which was updated in July.

Israel

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Israeli government on the use of force by Israeli security personnel in response to protests.

Mr Philip Hammond: Holding answer received on 21 October 2015



On 15 October, the Charge d'Affaires at our Embassy in Israel raised our concerns with Israel’s Deputy National Security Adviser, including specific discussions around punitive demolitions and the security at the Temple Mount/Haram al Sharif. On 16 October the National Security Adviser, Mark Lyall Grant, spoke with Israel’s National Security Adviser, Yossi Cohen, about the violence in Jerusalem and called for de-escalation and the need to do everything possible to keep the situation calm. Our officials at our Embassy in Tel Aviv continue to urge both sides to de-escalate the current tensions.

Israel: Palestinians

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Palestinian Authority on action to prevent terrorist attacks in Israel.

Mr Philip Hammond: Holding answer received on 21 October 2015



I spoke to President Abbas on 9 October about the violence in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and urged him to do everything in his power to reduce tensions and restore calm. In recent weeks, Her Majesty’s Consul General in Jerusalem has also pressed several senior Palestinian figures on the need to de-escalate the current tension.I strongly condemn the recent terrorist attacks. The effect that they are having on innocent civilians is appalling. I also strongly condemn all incitement to commit acts of violence by both sides.

COE Parliamentary Assembly

Mr Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will set out the record of attendance and participation in sessions of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and its committees by those hon. Members of the UK delegation who were appointed to the Parliamentary Assembly on 10 November 2010.

Mr David Lidington: Holding answer received on 21 October 2015



A new UK delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe was appointed on 10 November 2010 following the 2010 General Election, to provide a balanced reflection of the representation in the UK parliament, in accordance with the Statute of the Council of Europe. Details of participation in sessions of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and its committees by hon. Members of the UK delegation are published on the Parliament website:http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/offices/delegations/coe2/membership1/This includes lists of members and in respect of the periods 2010-13 , 2013-2014, and 2014-15, their party affiliations and European political groupings. I have placed a copy in the Library of the House. I am pleased to note that the UK’s delegation has a strong record of attendance.

COE Parliamentary Assembly

Mr Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the work of the members of the UK delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe who were appointed on 10 November 2010; and if he will make a statement.

Mr David Lidington: Holding answer received on 21 October 2015



Details of participation in sessions of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe by members of the UK Delegation are published on the Parliament website:http://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/offices/delegations/coe2/membership1/The work of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe is reflected in adopted recommendations, resolutions and opinions which are in the public domain. The UK Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe is recognised within the Assembly as one of the more active and influential delegations, contributing effectively across a range of issues on the Assembly’s agenda, in plenary and within the supporting committee structure. The UK Delegation also engages beyond the Assembly in other Council of Europe bodies and as part of Assembly missions deploying to Member States including for election observation.

UK Membership of EU

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, in what form he expects the results of the renegotiation of the UK's membership of the EU to be presented (a) by the European Council and (b) by the Government to the electorate.

Mr David Lidington: At the conclusion of any deal, the public will rightly expect Ministers to set out the results of the renegotiation, how the relationship with Europe has been changed and if – and how – those changes address their concerns. As the Chancellor of the Exchequer, my right hon. Friend the member for Tatton (Mr Osborne) said in June, the Government will publish assessments of the merits of membership and the risks of a lack of reform in the European Union, including the damage that that could do to Britain’s interests.

Cleaning Services: Living Wage

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has received from his Department's cleaning staff on being paid the London Living Wage.

Mr David Lidington: Interserve cleaning staff, contracted to clean the FCO’s London buildings, wrote to the department regarding the London Living Wage in letters dated 21 July 2015 (to which I replied on 19 August 2015); 21 July 2014 (to which I replied on 7 October 2014); and, 18 June 2012 (to which FCO officials replied on 21 June 2012 and followed up that reply with a meeting on 30 July 2012).

Attorney General

Trials

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Attorney General, how many early guilty pleas there were in the Crown Court in each year from 2010-11; and what proportion of total pleas they represented in each such year.

Robert Buckland: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) maintains a central electronic record of the numbers of defendants and the outcome of prosecution proceedings at the Crown Court on its Case Management System. An automated facility to collate data showing the number of early guilty pleas was developed and implemented across the Service during 2013. Complete records are therefore only available from April 2014.The table below represents the number of finalised defendants entering early guilty pleas and shows these as a proportion of all guilty pleas at the Crown Court during 2014-15.2014-2015Early Guilty Plea23,589% EGP of all Guilty Pleas32.5%Total Guilty Pleas72,527Data Source: CPS Case Management Information System The total guilty plea volumes in the table above are inclusive of cases where a defendant has entered mixed guilty and not guilty pleas.The second table shows the number of early guilty pleas as a proportion of all finalised prosecution outcomes at the Crown Court during the same period.2014-2015Early Guilty Plea23,589% EGP of all Prosecutions23.4%Total Prosecutions100,865Data Source: CPS Case Management Information System

Crown Prosecution Service: Redundancy Pay

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Attorney General, how many exit packages the Crown Prosecution Service has agreed with a value of more than £100,000 since 2010-11; and what the total cost of such packages was to the public purse.

Robert Buckland: The information requested is contained in the following table.YearNumber of Exit Packages in Excess of £100,000Value of Exit Packages Per YearMay 2010 – 201127£4,463,4132011 – 201238£4,466,5102012 – 201329£3.494,2662013 – 201435£4,492,7892014 - 201524£2,991,8092015 - 2016noneTotal153 £19,908,787 Note:Data source is the CPS Annual Report for years 2010/11 to 2014/15. Data source for 2015/16 was taken from the CPS VER and finance database and is accurate as at 16/10/15.

Crown Prosecution Service: Costs

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Attorney General, what assessment he has made of the effect of the criminal courts charge on the reduction in costs awarded to the Crown Prosecution Service under the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 as a result of (a) magistrates and (b) judges using their discretion to lower the level of costs awarded.

Robert Buckland: The criminal court charge imposed a non-discretionary charge on all adult offenders convicted for offences committed on or after 13 April 2015 and is imposed separately from other financial considerations and orders the court may make. It is premature to fully appreciate the implications of the charge on the criminal justice system.The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not maintain data on the value of costs awarded to the CPS but does have data on the value of costs recovered following the award of costs. The value of costs recovered and paid to CPS, following the award of costs under the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985, in quarter 1 2015-16 was about £10.7m, in line with expectations.

Crown Prosecution Service: Costs

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Attorney General, what estimate he has made of the costs awarded to the Crown Prosecution Service under the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 in (a) each financial year since 2010 and (b) 2015-16 to date.

Robert Buckland: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not maintain data on the value of costs awarded to the CPS but does have data on the value of costs recovered following the award of costs.A table showing the value of costs recovered and paid to the CPS, following the award of costs under the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985, in (a) each financial year since 2010 and (b) 2015-16 to date is presented below.2015/162014/152013/142012/132011/122010/112009/10(Qtr 1)Costs recovered (£M)10.735.337.739.642.344.640.6The value of costs recovered has reduced in total but has increased in terms of the average cost recovered per defendant since 2010/11. The total CPS caseload has also reduced since 2010. This reduction in CPS caseload is due, in part, to the transfer of prosecutions from the CPS to the police as part of the police led prosecution initiative.Notes: The figures in the table are compiled from returns sent to the CPS by HM Courts and Tribunals Service. The amount reported for 2015/16 reflects the first quarter’s returns only. Returns for the second quarter are not yet available.

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

Trade Associations

Christian Matheson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with which trade associations he has met since his appointment.

Joseph Johnson: Details of Ministers' meetings with external organisations are published up to 31 March 2015 and can be accessed on Gov.uk at:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications?keywords=Ministers&publication.Further publications of Ministerial meetings will be published in due course across Government in the usual way.

Business

Christian Matheson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many meetings he has held with businesses or industry associations in the (a) aerospace, (b) pharmaceutical, (c) automotive, (d) chemical and (e) financial services sectors since May 2015.

Joseph Johnson: Details of Ministers' meetings with external organisations are published up to 31 March 2015 and can be accessed on Gov.uk at:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications?keywords=Ministers&publication.Further publications of Ministerial meetings will be published in due course across Government in the usual way.

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills: Pressure Groups

Chris Stephens: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what meetings his Department has had with representatives of (a) the Taxpayers' Alliance, (b) the Confederation of British Industry, (c) the Institute of Economic Affairs, (d) the Adam Smith Institute, (e) the Freedom Association, (f) the Politics and Economic Research Trust and (g) the Midlands Industrial Council in the last 12 months.

Joseph Johnson: Details of Ministers' meetings with external organisations are published up to 31 March 2015 and can be accessed on Gov.uk at:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications?keywords=Ministers&publication.Further publications of Ministerial meetings will be published in due course across Government in the usual way.

Minimum Wage: Productivity

Owen Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment the Government has made of the potential effect on productivity of increasing the minimum wage.

Nick Boles: The Government will publish a full Impact Assessment alongside draft regulations to implement the National Living Wage.As noted in Summer Budget 2015, at a firm level there is some evidence that previous increases in minimum wages in low paying firms may have been associated with increases in productivity.Additionally, the Office for Budget Responsibility has published an estimate of the aggregate impact on productivity due to compositional change in the economy. They estimate an increase in hourly productivity in 2020 of 0.3 percentage points through this mechanism.

Young People: Pay

Owen Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps his Department is taking to improve rates of pay for people aged under 25.

Nick Boles: The priority for younger workers is to gain skills and experience and to secure work. This is already reflected in the National Minimum Wage rate structure, where the youth rate is currently £1.40 lower than the adult rate. This reflects that wages tend to increase through the early 20s, as workers gain more experience. Youth unemployment is higher compared to those over 25.The wages of younger workers will continue to be underpinned by the National Minimum Wage as recommended by the Low Pay Commission at the highest possible level without affecting employment.

Royal Mail

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps his Department has taken to ensure maximum financial benefit to the public purse from the sale of Royal Mail.

Anna Soubry: The objectives for the recent sale of Royal Mail shares, as set out in the Secretary of State’s report to Parliament on 8 June 2015 (Royal Mail: Sale of Shares), included delivering a “financial outcome for the tax payer that represents overall value for money”.To achieve this, the Department was supported by advice from its independent financial adviser, Rothschild, on the fair value of the company. Rothschild conducted a wide ranging analysis of the value of Royal Mail. The price per share achieved in the recent sale realised value for money for the tax payer.

Pregnant Women: Discrimination

Patricia Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of free specialist legal advice available to new and expectant mothers who have been subjected to pregnancy, maternity or sex discrimination at work.

Nick Boles: The Government has not made any assessment of the adequacy of free specialist legal advice available to new and expectant mothers who have been subjected to pregnancy, maternity or sex discrimination at work. The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service and the Equality and Advisory Support Service provide information about a range of statutory rights and entitlement, including those that apply to pregnant women and women on maternity leave.Pregnancy and maternity discrimination is unlawful and unacceptable, which is why the Government and the Equalities and Human Rights Commission jointly funded independent research into the perceived problem. This is the largest research of its kind to be undertaken in Great Britain. Interim findings were published in July 2015 and can be found at: http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/publication/pregnancy-and-maternity-related-discrimination-and-disadvantage-first-findings-surveys-employers-and-0The final report, due to be published later this year, will inform the Government’s response.

Iron and Steel: Government Assistance

Stephen Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many times in the past 12 months (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department have raised the issue of state aid clearance for the steel sector with the European Commission.

Anna Soubry: The state aid rules on giving rescue and restructuring aid to steel companies are clear and all such interventions are prohibited. Officials have been in regular communication with the Commission to progress our application for the broader support package for energy-intensive industries including steel, and the Secretary of State will be raising this with the Competition Commissioner at the earliest opportunity.

Personal Care Services

Ms Margaret Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, whether he has made an assessment of the need for regulation of hairdressing.

Anna Soubry: The Government is currently reviewing all UK regulated professions under the Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications Directive. Part of this review will assess the necessity and proportionality of the current arrangements, with a view to cutting red tape where possible. We will make any further announcements when the review concludes in January. While there are regulations governing the suitability of premises, the hairdressing profession itself is not regulated. Anyone is free to practice as a hairdresser and there are no statutory requirements for the majority of those employed within this sector to register on a national register. However, the Hair Council has developed and operates a voluntary registration scheme which is recognised within the hairdressing industry.

Department for Education

Primary Education: Free School Meals

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her policy on universal infant free school meals is part of the Government's obesity strategy.

Mr Sam Gyimah: The continuation of universal infant free school meals (UIFSM) was a commitment in the Conservative Party’s election manifesto. The government is currently conducting a Spending Review across all its programmes.Tackling obesity, particularly in children, is one of our major priorities. Progress has been made in recent years, but we know we have much further to go. We will announce our plans for tackling childhood obesity in the coming months.

National Identity: Education

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will take steps to promote patriotism in schools.

Nick Gibb: All schools are required to promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faith and beliefs. This includes challenging prejudices or statements counter to British values. The National Curriculum programme for citizenship has been revised to give schools more scope to decide how it should be taught and this can include teaching about patriotism.

UN Convention of the Rights of the Child

Ben Howlett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what progress she is making on implementing Article 31 of the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child.

Ben Howlett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to implement Article 31 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child so that it supports childrens' mental health.

Edward Timpson: The Government remains committed to giving due consideration to Articles set out in the UNCRC through new policy and legislation. Article 31 refers to the right to relax and play and to join in a wide range of cultural, artistic, and other recreational activities. Play and relaxation are important for children’s mental wellbeing. As such, we believe that it is important for all children to have access to a wide range of such recreational activities.The Children Act 1989 and associated guidance place duties on a range of organisations, including schools, to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. All schools should create a happy and supportive environment through a broad and balanced curriculum. They have a responsibility to ensure that all children have access to high-quality arts and cultural education. Pupils also have to study drama, as part of the English curriculum, and dance, as part of the PE curriculum.Our guidance to schools on mental wellbeing, in particular the guidance on school-based counselling published in March, emphasises that support works best within a whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing. This includes a healthy approach to play and relaxation, as set out in Article 31.In addition the Government has:Invested over £460 million between 2012 – 2016 in a diverse portfolio of music and arts education programmes to improve access to the arts for all children;Invested £5 million to fund projects in schools to help young people develop positive character traits, recognising excellent practice through the Character Awards and supporting research into what works best;Provided £4.7 million to voluntary and community sector (VCS) projects delivering support to children and young people with mental health issues;Committed to boosting children’s health, confidence and self-esteem through sport; for example, backing Sport England’s £1 billion investment in the youth and community strategy over 5 years;Guaranteed a place on National Citizen Service for all 16-17 year olds, which has already targeted 100,000 teenagers; andInvested £100 million in the Children’s Social Care Innovation Programme – which has seen a number of successful bids aimed at supporting children’s mental health.

Special Educational Needs

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans she has to ensure that special education needs are included as part of the core framework for Initial Teacher Training.

Nick Gibb: All initial teacher training(ITT) courses must ensurethat trainee teachers can meet the Teachers’ Standards; this includes having a clear understanding of the needs of all pupils, including those with special educational needs (SEN). Teachers must also be able to adapt teaching to the needs of all pupils, and have an understanding of the factors that can inhibit children being able to learn and how to overcome them.The government has commissioned an independent working group made up of expert representatives from the sector (including an SEN specialist) to develop a framework of core ITT content. The group, chaired by Stephen Munday CBE (CEO, Comberton Academies Trust), will be considering the extent to which SEN and disabilities should be covered in the framework.

English Baccalaureate

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many students attained grades (a) A, (b) B and (c) C in each Ebacc subject in each of the last three years.

Nick Gibb: Information on the grades achieved in each subject at GCSE over the last three years is published in Table 11 of the “GCSE and equivalent results in England: statistical first release” series.[1] [2] [3] A list of qualifications which count towards the English Baccalaureate is available on the school performance tables website.[4][1] https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/provisional-gcse-and-equivalent-results-in-england-2014-to-2015[2] https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/revised-gcse-and-equivalent-results-in-england-2013-to-2014[3] https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/gcse-and-equivalent-results-in-england-2012-to-2013-revised[4] http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/performance/secondary_14/English_Baccalaureate_list_of_qualifications_July_2015.xls

GCSE

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of effectiveness for parents of data published by schools on the number of children achieving five A to C grades in assessing performance.

Nick Gibb: The School Information (England) Regulations 2008 requires maintained secondary schools to publish their most recent Key Stage 4 results on their websites. This is because it is important that parents can easily find information on the educational attainment of pupils at the school.Currently they must publish:The percentage achieving 5 + A*-C GCSEs (or equivalent) including English and maths GCSEs;The percentage achieving the English Baccalaureate; andThe percentage of pupils making expected progress in English and in maths.From 2016 they will be required to publish:Progress 8: Progress across 8 qualifications from the end of Key Stage 2 to the end of Key Stage 4 compared to pupils with the same Key Stage 2 starting point;Attainment 8: The average attainment across the same 8 qualifications as Progress 8;The percentage of pupils achieving the English Baccalaureate; andThe percentage of pupils achieving A*-C in maths and English.These new measures will give a fairer and more rounded picture of performance.Funding agreements for academies may be seen online at: www.education.gov.uk/schools/performance/

Social Services: Children

Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many children have been classified as in need (a) once, (b) twice, (c) three times and (d) four times (i) in the last 12 months and (ii) during their lifetimes.

Edward Timpson: The information requested is not available.The proportion of referrals to children’s social care which were within 12 months of a previous referral by local authority, however, is published in the characteristics of children in need statistical first release in table C1 here:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/characteristics-of-children-in-need-2013-to-2014

GCSE

Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many and what proportion of children in need achieved five A* to C grades at GCSE, including English and mathematics, in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Nick Gibb: The requested information for 2013-14, the most recent year available, was published in table L5 of the ‘Additional tables’ available online here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/characteristics-of-children-in-need-2013-to-2014

Further Education: Cumbria

Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much funding was allocated to further education in (a) Copeland and (b) Cumbria in (i) 2014-15 and (ii) 2015-16.

Mr Sam Gyimah: The Department does not hold the information requested. Published funding allocations are available on GOV.UK at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/16-to-19-education-funding-allocations

Children: Disability

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make it her policy to require local authorities to publish data on (a) the number of families with disabled children in their area, (b) how many such families access short breaks provided by the local authority, by category of break, in each local authority area and (c) the levels of short breaks provided in each such area.

Edward Timpson: Local authorities are already under a duty under the Children Act 1989 to maintain a register of disabled children in their area. It must be open for any disabled child (as defined in section 17(11) of the Children Act 1989) to join the register, whether on their own request or through their parents.Since 2011, local authorities have also been under a duty to provide a range of short break services and to publish a local Short Breaks Duty Statement showing what services are available; how they are responding to the needs of local parent carers; and how short breaks can be accessed, including any eligibility criteria.

Ministry of Justice

Trials

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many and what proportion of trials were (a) ineffective, (b) cracked and (c) vacated for reasons related to the prosecution in each year since 2010-11.

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the vacated trial rate in (a) magistrates' courts and (b) the Crown Court was in each year since 2010-11; and what proportion of those vacated trials were for reasons related to the prosecution.

Mr Shailesh Vara: Figures on ineffective and cracked trials are published quarterly at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/criminal-court-statistics.Figures on the number and proportion of vacated trials in magistrates courts for reasons related to the prosecution since 2010/11 are in Table 1, and those for Crown Courts are in Table 2.



Vacated Trials since 2010/11
(Excel SpreadSheet, 19.64 KB)

Prisoners' Release

Ben Howlett: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what progress his Department is making in arranging for the release of prisoners sentenced to imprisonment for public protection.

Andrew Selous: The release of prisoners serving indeterminate sentences of imprisonment for public protection (IPP) is a matter for the independent Parole Board. The Parole Board directs the release of IPP prisoners on licence who have completed their minimum period of imprisonment (tariff), where the Board is satisfied that those prisoners may be effectively managed in the community.

Criminal Proceedings: Fees and Charges

Ben Howlett: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what his policy is on the Criminal Court Charge.

Mr Shailesh Vara: As the Secretary of State stated to the House on 8 September, we have been made aware of widespread concern about the operation of the Criminal Courts Charge, but it is important to stress that the Charge is levied or taken from the offender only after other fines have been paid. It is important to note that statutory protections are in place so that the payment of the Charge in due course should be linked to the offender's means. Within the Bill there was a duty placed on the Lord Chancellor to carry out a review of the Criminal Courts Charge, three years after the implementation of the Charge.

College of Arms: Recruitment

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent discussions he has had on recruitment processes for vacancies in the College of Arms.

Mike Penning: The Secretary of State for Justice has had no discussions on the recruitment processes for vacancies in the College of Arms and has no responsibility for such.

Magistrates: Resignations

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many magistrates have resigned from their positions in each of the last 24 months.

Mr Shailesh Vara: It is not possible to provide the requested information at this time, as the central database on which the information is recorded is being replaced. I will write to the honourable member in due course.

Ministry of Justice: Trade Unions

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what meetings he has had with trades union officials on the Trade Union Bill.

Mike Penning: Details of ministerial meetings are published in transparency returns at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/moj-gifts-hospitality-travel-and-meetings

Criminal Proceedings: Fees and Charges

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the monetary value has been of criminal courts charges (a) imposed and (b) collected since the introduction of those charges.

Mr Shailesh Vara: Information on the enforcement of financial impositions is contained within an annex to Criminal Court Statistics Bulletin published quarterly by the Ministry of Justice.The data for the period April to September 2015 will be published on 17 December 2015. This will separately identify the monetary values of the criminal courts charge imposed and collected since 13 April 2015.

Leader of the House

Leader of the House of Commons: Elections

Mr Peter Bone: To ask the Leader of the House, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of the Leader of the House being elected by the whole House.

Chris Grayling: None.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Direct Selling: Complaints

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many complaints concerning (a) automated and (b) live telesales calls were received by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) in each year since 2009; how many fines were issued by the ICO against offending companies in each of these years; and how many of those fines were for the maximum possible amount.

Mr Edward Vaizey: The Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA) and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (PECR) are the most relevant pieces of legislation in relation to unsolicited calls and texts, and are administered and enforced by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).The number of complaints received by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) in each year since 2009, concerning a) automated and b) live telesales calls; and the number of fines issued for breaches of PECR in relation to each category is set out in the table below. None of the fines issued to date have been for the maximum of £500,000. In determining the level of fine, the ICO takes into account the seriousness of the contravention, the aggravating and mitigating factors and the organisation’s ability to pay.Financial yearAuto CallsNumber of fines (auto calls)Live callsNumber of fines (Live calls)2008/91902-1642-2009/101677-1769-2010/111745-1706-2011/12*3680-168512012/1382803-3166222013/1474024-5626922014/1580188-7508242015/16 (to end Sept 15)379421429502*In March 2012 the ICO introduced an online reporting mechanism for people to report nuisance calls and spam texts.

Broadband

Antoinette Sandbach: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to ensure that (a) Connecting Cheshire and (b) other local authority partnerships provide timely and accurate advice to homes and businesses about when work will take place to connect them to superfast broadband.

Mr Edward Vaizey: All local BDUK project are required to have project websites providing information to their residents of the roll out plans for their area. All projects include maps of their intervention areas and regular updates on progress. The majority of projects have seven digit postcode checkers on their site to provide greater localised information. Details for Cheshire’s broadband rollout can be found on the Connecting Cheshire postcode checker (http://www.connectingcheshire.org.uk/check-availability) and on deployment maps indicating broader timescales for upgrades (http://www.connectingcheshire.org.uk/connecting-cheshire-deployment-maps).

Football: Discipline

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the effect of poor player behaviour and discipline by Premier League football players on the field on the reputation of UK sport; and if he will hold talks with the Professional Footballers' Association and FA to discuss improving that behaviour and discipline.

Tracey Crouch: Government believes that professional footballers have a responsibility to set a good example, especially to children in terms of acceptable behaviour. This is something I have discussed with both the chief executive of the Professional Footballers Association when we met recently, and with the FA as part of our regular discussions on a range of football matters.More generally The PFA works in partnership with the FA and the professional Leagues to implement key areas within football’s inclusion and anti-discrimination plan. Through the plan, a new code of conduct has being introduced from the start of this season, as part of a series of measures to address on-field behaviour in English football. The new code sets out the standards required and consequences for non-compliance.

American Football

Mr Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to support the establishment of an NFL franchise in London.

Tracey Crouch: As the Chancellor stated in October 2014, the Government fully backs the NFL franchise, and HM Treasury is currently in discussions with the Greater London Authority about increasing the number of NFL matches in London.

Tickets: Touting

Nick Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to ensure that fans buying tickets for sporting and cultural events are not disadvantaged by organised gangs of online touts in the secondary ticket market.

Tracey Crouch: The Government announced last week that Professor Michael Waterson has been appointed to chair the independent review of consumer protection measures in the secondary ticket market. The review will look into existing protections for consumers and how tickets come to be available on the secondary market.

Nuisance Calls

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what plans he has to tackle nuisance calls.

Mr Edward Vaizey: Tackling nuisance calls is a priority for the Government. Our commitment to tackle this problem was outlined in our Nuisance Calls Action Plan, which was published on 30 March 2014. Since publication, we have progressed legislative and non-legislative measures, including ensuring improved information sharing between regulators and lowering the legal threshold for the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). Currently we are encouraging and seeking more innovative and cost effective call blocking products and have launched a competition fund with Innovate UK to do this.

Information Commissioner and National Archives

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what his policy is on (a) data protection, (b) sponsorship of the Information Commissioner's Office and (c) sponsorship of the National Archives.

Mr Edward Vaizey: Policy responsibility for data protection policy, sponsorship of the Information Commissioner’s Office, and sponsorship of The National Archives transferred from the Ministry of Justice to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, on 17 September. My department is working with the Information Commissioner and other stakeholders to effectively deliver the Government’s objectives in these areas. The National Archives remains a non-ministerial department.

Digital Technology: EU Internal Trade

David Warburton: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what his policy is on the digital single market.

Mr Edward Vaizey: The Department for Business and the Cabinet Office have overall policy responsibility for the Digital Single Market. The Department for Culture Media and Sport leads on telecoms, audio visual policy, IT Security and now Data Protection. The Digital Single Market is a key priority for the UK Government and we welcome its ambition. It offers huge potential for jobs and growth and could increase UK GDP by up to 2%, and it can also benefit citizens, as shown by our recent deal within the European Council on roaming.

Football: Finance

Mr David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what plans he has to encourage the Premier League adequately to contribute to the financing of grassroots football.

Tracey Crouch: I will be continuing the discussions with the Premier League about how best to support the game. Government believesthat given the size of the League's new TV deal, football's grassroots should receive greater investment than ever before, and we will work in partnership to ensure that this happens.

World War I: Anniversaries

James Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what plans his Department has to commemorate the centenary of the Battle of the Somme.

Tracey Crouch: A UK national commemorative event will take place on 1 July at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme in France. This is a free ticketed event - the public ballot for tickets opened in September and will run until 18 November. There will be a daily service of remembrance at Thiepval on each of the 141 days of the Battle and a wide programme of events in the UK. Manchester will play a key role in this and I will announce further details shortly.

Department for Work and Pensions

Employment Schemes

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 26 March 2015 to Question 228756, when his Department plans to publish statistics on the performance of the Help to Work scheme.

Priti Patel: Statistics on Help to Work will be published on 22nd October 2015.The first release covers the number of referrals to each of the three interventions in the Help to Work programme and starts to the Community Work Placement element of Help to Work. The statistics can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/help-to-work-quarterly-statistics

Employment Schemes

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the total number of hours worked by participants in (a) help to work and (b) mandatory work activity was in the most recent year for which figures are available; and what the average number of hours worked was by each such participant.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much time in total participants spent on (a) work choice, (b) help to work and (c) mandatory work activity in each year since the start of those programmes.

Priti Patel: Help to Work provides intensive employment support to unemployed JSA and UC claimants who have completed the Work Programme and are yet to find work. Claimants on the Help to Work programme who would benefit work experience are referred to work placements for 6 months to develop their skills and experience within the workplace. Placements last up to 30 hours a week and take account of any restrictions in their claimant commitment.The first Help to Work statistics will be published on 22nd October. The first release covers the number of referrals to each of the three interventions in the Help to Work programme and starts to the Community Work Placement element of Help to Work. The statistics can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/help-to-work-quarterly-statistics Mandatory Work Activity is a supportive programme designed to help claimants who need extra support from a short work placement to re-focus their job search activity and gain further experience of work. Unemployed JSA or UC claimants are referred for up to 4 weeks work experience and will participate on the placement for up to 30 hours a week.For mandatory work activity, the number of referrals and starts is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/pre-work-programme-and-get-britain-workingData is not available on the total time spent on Work Choice, Help to Work or Mandatory Work Activity.

Employment Schemes: Homelessness

Ben Howlett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he plans to take to improve employment support for homeless people.

Priti Patel: We are exploring how we can best deliver future tailored employment support as part of the Spending Review. We will continue to do all we can to help all individuals, including homeless people, find, and stay in, work.

Jobcentre Plus: Staff

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many branches of Jobcentre Plus employed at least one full-time equivalent (a) disability employment adviser and (b) income support adviser in each of the last five years.

Priti Patel: We are committed to doing all we can to ensure all those who can work into employment, including claimants of all backgrounds, lone parents and disabled people.As part of our continuous improvement, we are rolling out the use of Work Coaches across Jobcentre Plus who are trained in all areas. This means that a claimant remains with the same adviser (Work Coach) regardless of their journey within the benefit system. As a result, the need for some specific advisers is reducing.The number of Jobcentre Plus branches employing at least one full-time equivalent Disability Employment Adviser and Income Support Adviser in each of the last five years is in the table below.YearNumber of Jobcentres Employing at least One Full-Time Equivalent Disability Employment AdvisorNumber of Jobcentres Employing at least One Full-Time Equivalent Income Support Adviser2011/122264742012/131903842013//141453572014/151184432015/16 (part year)90441The numbers for 2015/16 are for the period April to September 2015.Source of management information: DWP Work Services Activity Based Management Tool.The management information contained within this document does not form part of any official statistics and is intended for DWP internal use only.

Jobcentre Plus: Staff

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many income support advisers were employed by Jobcentre Plus in each of the last five years.

Priti Patel: The number of Income Support Advisers that were employed by Jobcentre Plus in each of the last five years is in the table.Period/YearNumber of Income Support Advisors that were employed by Jobcentre Plus2011/121,3052012/131,0882013//149832014/151,1722015/16 (part year only)1,209The numbers for 2015/16 are for the period April to September 2015.The numbers of advisers are expressed as Full Time Equivalents.Source of management information: DWP Work Services Activity Based Management Tool.The management information contained within this document does not form part of any official statistics and is intended for DWP internal use only.

Employment Schemes

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, which employers who have provided work placements for participants in (a) help to work and (b) mandatory work activity since the start of programme in question.

Priti Patel: The Department does not disclose details of organisations who have provided work experience placements for participants in Help to Work and Mandatory Work Activity.Contracted providers source work placements for individuals referred to Help to Work Community Work Placements and Mandatory Work Activity. The names of the contracted providers are published on Gov.uk.Mandatory Work Activity contracted providers:https://data.gov.uk/data/contracts-finder-archive/contract/166545/Help to Work contracted providers:https://data.gov.uk/data/contracts-finder-archive/search/?q=Community+Work+Placements

Employment Schemes

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of participants in (a) the work programme, (b) work choice, (c) help to work and (d) mandatory work activity who started work while participating in those programmes became self-employed.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of participants in (a) the work programme, (b) work choice and (c) help to work who started work during the course of their time on the programme in question were employed in the same job six months after their allotted time on the programme.

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of participants in (a) the work programme, (b) work choice, (c) help to work and (d) mandatory work activity who started work during the course of their time on the programme in question claimed in-work benefits while in employment.

Priti Patel: The Work Programme, Work Choice Mandatory Work Activity and Help to Work are supportive programmes to help unemployed people into workFor the Work Programme, the information that is available is the number of Work Programme referrals, attachments and job outcomes, by various geographies and this can be found at: http://tabulation-tool.dwp.gov.uk/WorkProg/tabtool.htmlGuidance for users can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dwp-tabulation-tool-guidanceFor Work Choice we do not hold specific data on customers that enter into self-employment or in work benefits claimed by participants. However we publish a range of data on referrals, starts, job outcomes and unsupported employment outcomes that are sustained for at least six months.Published Work Choice figures can be found at:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/work-choice-statistics-number-of-starts-and-referrals--2For mandatory work activity, the number of referrals and starts is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/pre-work-programme-and-get-britain-working.The first Help to Work statistics will be published on 22nd October. The first release covers the number of referrals to each of the three interventions in the Help to Work programme and starts to the Community Work Placement element of Help to Work. The statistics can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/help-to-work-quarterly-statisticsFor Work Choice we do not hold specific data on customers that enter into self-employment or in work benefits claimed by participants. However we publish a range of data on referrals, starts, job outcomes and unsupported employment outcomes that are sustained for at least six months. The latest published data covers the period between the launch of Work Choice in the third quarter of 2010/11 and the third quarter of 2014/15, and show that 15,710 unsupported sustained employment outcomes were recorded.It should be noted that there are also a number of individuals that achieve supported job outcomes and remain in that job for longer but this is not recorded officially and so cannot be quantified. Because of this, the real figure for employment lasting six months or more is likely to be higher than is captured by the official statistics.Published Work Choice figures can be found at:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/work-choice-statistics-number-of-starts-and-referrals--2

Social Security Benefits: Disqualification

Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many requests he has received for an inquiry into benefit sanctions.

Priti Patel: We have interpreted this question to mean how many requests the Secretary of State has received for an inquiry into benefit sanctions since taking post.The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

Housing Benefit: Bury St Edmunds

Jo Churchill: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people aged between 18 and 21 in the constituency of Bury St Edmunds were in receipt of housing benefit in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12, (c) 2012-13, (d) 2013-14 and (e) 2014-15.

Justin Tomlinson: The information requested about how many people aged between 18 and 21 were in receipt of housing benefit in the constituency of Bury St Edmunds is published and available at:https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk

Universal Credit: Liverpool

Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many universal credit claimants have been sanctioned in (a) Liverpool, Walton constituency and (b) Liverpool since the implementation of that policy.

Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many universal credit claimants in (a) Liverpool, Walton constituency and (b) Liverpool have appealed against sanctions; what the average length of sanctions in those areas was in the last 12 months; and how many such appeals were successful.

Priti Patel: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question 11863 asked on 14 October 2015

Employment and Support Allowance: Cancer

Mr Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the number of people with cancer who will be affected by proposals under the Welfare Reform and Work Bill to reduce the amount paid to new claimants in the employment and support allowance work related activity group.

Priti Patel: The Government set out its assessment of the impacts of the policies in the Welfare Reform and Work Bill on 20th July. These are available on the Parliament website: http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2015-16/welfarereformandwork/documents.html

Social Security Benefits

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 19 October 2015 to Question 11226, for what reasons decisions were not made on 118,039 of the applications his Department received in the period between October 2014 and September 2015 for Short Term Benefit Advance.

Priti Patel: We only collect limited data on those requests for a Short Term Benefit Advances that are refused although we do know that the vast majority of refusals are either because:(i) There was a doubt about whether the claimant would be entitled to the benefit being claimed and, therefore, we could not be sure that there was any benefit to advance or (ii) Actual benefit was paid instead, which is a better outcome for the claimant.

Universal Credit (Work Allowance) Amendment Regulations 2015

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will publish an impact assessment of the Universal Credit (Work Allowance) Amendment Regulations 2015.

Priti Patel: The Explanatory Memorandum that was published alongside the work allowance regulations contained the reference to the existing Universal Credit (UC) Impact Assessment. Whilst it is not standard practice to publish separate impact assessment for each change to the UC Regulations, Ministers gave full consideration to the impacts of these changes before the work allowance regulations were laid.

Universal Credit: Liverpool

Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many universal credit claimants there have been in (a) Liverpool, Walton constituency and (b) Liverpool city region since that policy's implementation.

Priti Patel: The information requested can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/universal-credit-statistics.

Social Security Benefits

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people who were subject to the benefit cap between May 2015 and August 2015 had been in receipt of working tax credit at any point during the 12 months prior to May 2015.

Justin Tomlinson: Benefit cap statistics for the period to August 2015 have been pre-announced for publication on 5th November 2015, however the information you have requested cannot be provided due to disproportionate costs.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Animals: Diseases

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the schedule of comparable programme objects in HM Treasury's publication, Funding the Scottish Parliament, National Assembly for Wales and Northern Ireland Assembly: Statement of Funding Policy, published in October 2010, what the total expenditure was on animal diseases between 2010 and 2015; and to what projects in which locations that funding was provided.

George Eustice: The table below shows the total expenditure on animal diseases in the five years from 2010-11 to 2014-15.YearSpend (£)2010-20112011-20122012-20132013-20142014-2015117,001,62388,876,23487,903,41684,648,92280,724,477

Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs: Milk

Mr Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much (a) fair price and (b) non-fair price milk was purchased for Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London in August 2015; and what plans she has to ensure that only fair price milk is used at Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London.

George Eustice: £28,780 worth of fresh milk has been purchased by Eurest (Defra’s catering services provider) since 1 April 2015. This is distributed across Defra sites on a supply and demand basis. All milk purchased by Eurest is sourced from the UK. Eurest pay above the average monthly farm gate price for all our milk, which includes use at Nobel House.

Alpacas: Bovine Tuberculosis

Antoinette Sandbach: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether alpacas are routinely tested for the presence of bovine tuberculosis.

George Eustice: There is no statutory bovine TB surveillance testing regime for alpacas except for post-mortem inspection of any that may enter the food chain. Defra has, however, worked with the British Alpaca and Llama Societies on the design and promotion of a TB testing regime that includes voluntary routine surveillance. A call for views on control of bovine TB in non-bovine farmed animals, including camelids, is currently in progress and will run until 20 November.

Home Office

Home Office: Pressure Groups

Chris Stephens: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what meetings (a) Ministers and (b) officials in her Department have had with representatives of (i) the Taxpayers' Alliance, (ii) the Confederation of British Industry, (iii) the Institute of Economic Affairs, (iv) the Adam Smith Institute, (v) the Freedom Association, (vi) the Politics and Economics Research Trust and (vii) the Midlands Industrial Council in the last 12 months.

Karen Bradley: Home Office Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of international partners, as well as organisations and individuals in the public and private sectors, as part of the process of policy development and delivery. Details of ministerial meetings are passed to the Cabinet Office on a quarterly basis and are subsequently published on the Gov.uk website: http://data.gov.uk/dataset/ministerial-data-home-office

Immigrants: Detainees

Kate Osamor: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the longest recorded time is for which a person has been held in immigration detention since 2010.

James Brokenshire: The longest time a person has been detained in the immigration estate - a foreign criminal who who left detention and was returned to Algeria in Q1 2012 - was 2,319 days.The individual in this case had accumulated 14 convictions from 32 offences committed between 1998 and 2004, including - but not limited to - convictions for firearms/ shotguns/offensive weapons, drug offences, offences relating to police/courts/prisons and theft. He was continuously non-compliant with the Home Office and Algerian authorities, using a false identity and nationality, which frustrated attempts to obtain travel documentation to facilitate his deportation. His continued non-compliance, deception and a history of absconding led to detention being prolonged.This information does not include those held in prisons solely under Immigration Act powers.The Home Office publishes quarterly and annual statistics on the number of people detained in the United Kingdom for immigration purposes, within the Immigration Statistics release on the GOV.UK website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/home-office/series/immigration-statistics-quarterly-release

Asylum: Human Trafficking

Kate Osamor: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of victims of human trafficking who applied for asylum were successful in their application between 2010 and 2015.

Karen Bradley: Between 01/01/2010 and 30/09/2015 1,200 applications for asylum were submitted by individuals recognised as victims of human trafficking by the National Referral Mechanism. Of those, 782 individuals (65.2%) were successfully granted some form of leave to enter/remain in the UK as a result of their asylum application.

Deportation: Yemen

Alison Thewliss: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department considers it safe to deport failed asylum seekers to Yemen.

Karen Bradley: Each case is considered on its own merits. Where a person qualifies for asylum or humanitarian protection we will grant it. Where we and the courts conclude that a person does not qualify, they are expected to leave the UK.

Police: Pensions

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will amend existing legislation relating to police widow pensions to bring parity with other public sector pensions.

Mike Penning: In common with other public sector pensions, the police pension schemes provide a pension for the widow, widower or civil partner of a police officer who dies. For the 2006 and 2015 police pension schemes that pension is paid for life regardless of future remarriage, civil partnership or cohabitation. As the Home Secretary announced in the House of Commons on 12 October 2015, in recognition of the level of risk that police officers face in the execution of their duty, the 1987 Police Pension Scheme will shortly be amended to ensure that widows, widowers and surviving civil partners of police officers who died on duty in England and Wales will no longer lose their survivors’ benefits if they remarry, form a civil partnership or cohabit in the future. The Government will lay these regulations in the coming weeks and the change will be backdated to 1 April 2015.

Human Trafficking

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps the Government's overseas posts are taking to warn women applying for entry to the UK about the dangers of sex trafficking and exploitation.

James Brokenshire: Holding answer received on 15 October 2015



All Entry Clearance Officers undertake mandatory modern slavery training which covers sex trafficking and exploitation, and advises on the particular threats faced by women.We are determined to work with key source countries to try to prevent individuals from becoming victims in the first place and are working through international organisations, such as the EU, UN and the Santa Marta group, to highlight the issue of modern slavery and create a global consensus that action must be taken to end modern slavery.

Missing Persons

Ann Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she expects the Missing Persons' Analysis Data for 2013-14 to be published.

Ann Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many children (a) under 16 and (b) under 18 were reported (i) missing and (ii) absent in each police force area for each year since 2012.

Karen Bradley: The most recent missing persons data report, covering the year 2012-2013, was published by the National Crime Agency in November 2014 and is available on the UK Missing Persons Bureau website. This report provides the number of children who were reported missing (in the age ranges 12 – 14 and 15 -17). The National Crime Agency intends to publish the annual reports covering 2013/14 and 2014/15 in spring 2016.

Forced Labour and Human Trafficking: North Yorkshire

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many cases of (a) trafficking in human beings and (b) forced labour have been recorded by North Yorkshire Police for each year from 2010 to 2014; in how many such cases prosecutions were brought; and what the outcome was of those prosecutions.

Karen Bradley: Recorded crime figures for the period 2010 to 2014 do not directly map on to the two categories in the question. Data on human trafficking for sexual exploitation is available for that period, and there were no cases of this crime type recorded by North Yorkshire police in the years requested.A separate ‘modern slavery’ crime classification was introduced in April 2015 covering all forms of human trafficking, slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour. Figures for April to June 2015 are available in the statistical bulletin “Crime in England and Wales, year ending June 2015”, published by the Office for National Statistics on 15 October 2015.The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) flags cases related to human trafficking and forced labour in its Case Management System, regardless of whether the eventual prosecution is for human trafficking, slavery, servitude and forced and compulsory labour, or for another offence. The table below shows the number of defendants flagged for offences related to human trafficking and to slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour in the CPS North Yorkshire Area:2010-20112011-20122012-20132013-20142014-2015Prosecutions12300Convictions12300

Organised Crime: Drugs

Ann Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many nominals in County Line investigations conducted or led by the National Crime Agency have been under 18; and what the age, gender and regional breakdown is of each such person.

Karen Bradley: The National Crime Agency does not conduct County Lines investigations and therefore does not hold this information. However, the NCA play a critical role in tackling child sexual abuse working closely with law enforcement partners to tackle this abhorrent crime.

Immigration

Thangam Debbonaire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the (a) shortest, (b) longest and (c) mean period of time was for deciding applications for family reunion in each of the last five years.

James Brokenshire: The minimum*, maximum and average processing times for family reunion visa applications are set out in the table below.EndorsementPeriodAverage processing timeMinimum processing timeMaximum processing timesFAMILY REUNION2010 Q24805412010 Q34705892010 Q43905702011 Q13704162011 Q24507772011 Q34906002011 Q45004562012 Q14803312012 Q24803202012 Q35204902012 Q44503212013 Q14403602013 Q24503142013 Q348011842013 Q44402262014 Q14303302014 Q24102862014 Q33804192014 Q44805432015 Q13003572015 Q2441178*Minimum processing times: The cases taking zero days to process were mainly those where a decision on the main applicant was taken on the same day as a newly dependant child’s application, where the child’s application was added to the Home Office caseworking system on the day of that decision. (e.g. where the child is born after the main applicant has submitted a visa application and a decision is also required on the child).

Immigrants: Shipping

Cat Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what her policy is on amending the immigration system to increase the supply of non-domiciled seafarers to the UK shipping industry.

Cat Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what her policy is on amending the immigration system to increase the supply of non-domiciled shore-based workers to the UK maritime sector.

James Brokenshire: The Government is committed to reducing net migration and employers' dependence on overseas workers.We have no plans to amend the immigration system specifically to increase the supply of non-EEA seamen and shore-based workers to the maritime sector. The immigration system does not interfere with the ability of UK-owned shipping businesses to employ non-EEA crew where they are engaged on international journeys. Non-EEA seamen who arrive in UK waters on board a vessel and are engaged to depart on that vessel, or who seek entry to the UK to join a vessel that is due to leave UK waters, do not require a work permit.Shore-based employment in the sector is, however, subject to the same controls as employment in any other sector, and non-EEA workers will normally require authorisation under the Tier 2 (General) category of the Points Based System. The Government has commissioned the independent Migration Advisory Committee to provide advice on restricting Tier 2 work visas to genuine skills shortages and highly specialist experts, with sufficient flexibility to include high value roles and key public service workers.

Marriage Certificates

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an estimate of the potential (a) total and (b) average cost per register of allowing mothers names to be recorded on marriage certificates.

James Brokenshire: The cost of replacing the registers is being assessed in conjunction with our work to determine the most efficient and effective way to enable mothers’ names to be recorded on marriage certificates.

Visas: Syria

Thangam Debbonaire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many transit visas for Syrian nationals have been (a) granted and (b) refused in each of the last five years.

James Brokenshire: The information requested is shown in the attached table.The latest quarterly Home Office immigration statistics on entry clearance visas are published in ‘Immigration Statistics, April-June 2015’, available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office website at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/migration-statistics



Transit visa applications Syrian Nationals
(Excel SpreadSheet, 11.34 KB)

Immigration: Applications

Kate Osamor: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will conduct a review into the efficiency and effectiveness of administrative handling of cases.

James Brokenshire: There are no plans for a specific review of the administrative handling of immigration applications. UKVI is, however, committed to the principles of continuous improvement and to applying these to ensure processes are efficient and effective.

Detention Centres

Thangam Debbonaire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what reasons her Department did not renew the Choices contract in detention centres; and what assessment the Government has made of the effect of that decision on the number of people in detention taking up voluntary return and being removed from the UK.

James Brokenshire: Additional packages of assistance for those detained pending removal to depart the UK were stopped in March 2014. This reflects the need for those who are here illegally to make a voluntary return at the earliest stage. This should occur before enforcement action and detention is required. Since this change, the overall number of illegal migrants whose voluntary departure is facilitated by the Home Office and its partners has continued to increase.

Southend University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust: Migrant Workers

Sir David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of the effect on employment in Southend University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust of proposals that Tier 2 visa immigrants from outside the European Economic Area must be earning £35,000 or more to qualify for UK indefinite leave to remain; and if she will make a statement.

James Brokenshire: The Government announced in 2012 that from 6 April 2016 Tier 2 visa holders who apply for settlement in the UK will be required to meet a minimum annual salary requirement of £35,000. PhD level roles and those in shortage will be exempt from the £35,000 threshold. The Home Office published a full impact assessment on the changes to Tier 2 settlement rules when they were laid before Parliament on 15 March 2012. This included the potential effect on nurses. The impact assessment is available on the gov.uk website at:https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/117957/impact-assessment-tier2.pdfHealthcare occupations, including paramedics, radiographers, and doctors working in emergency medicine, are included on the Shortage Occupation List.On 15 October, the Home Secretary announced that nurses will be added to the list on a temporary basis, pending a full review by the independent Migration Advisory Committee. As workers are exempt from the settlement pay threshold if they are in a role that is or has been on the shortage occupation list at any time while they have been sponsored to do that role, all nurses currently sponsored in Tier 2 will be exempt from the £35,000 threshold when they apply for settlement. The Home Office has not made any assessment of the impact of the policy specifically on employment in Southend University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Counter-terrorism: Personal Records

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what length of time her Department retains information about a person after they have been referred to the Channel programme.

Mr John Hayes: Holding answer received on 19 October 2015



Information relating to an individual referred to Channel is recorded by the police on the Channel Case Management and Information System (CMIS). The data is subject to the Code of Practice on the Management of Police Information (MOPI).

Detention Centres

Mrs Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she plans to publish the findings of the follow-up audit of reports made under Rule 35 of the Detention Centre Rules 2001.

James Brokenshire: Stephen Shaw CBE, the former Prisons and Probation Ombudsman for England and Wales, has completed the review into the welfare of vulnerable immigration detainees which the Home Secretary asked him to conduct, and has recently submitted his report to Ministers at the Home Office and Department of Health. His findings are being carefully considered. The report will be published by laying it before Parliament, alongside the Government’s response to the recommendations. The Government intends to publish the Rule 35 audit alongside Stephen Shaw’s report.

Vetting

Mr Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she plans to take to ensure that delays in Disclosure and Barring Service checks by (a) the Metropolitan Police and (b) other constabularies are minimised.

Karen Bradley: Holding answer received on 19 October 2015



The DBS is reliant on the police completing their checks in a timely manner. To support this, service level agreements are in place between the DBS and each police force. These include a requirement for forces to complete 100% of local checks within 60 days.There are a small number of forces, including the Metropolitan Police Service, experiencing difficulties in dealing with the volume of applications that have been referred to them. If police force performance falls below the standard agreed with the DBS, the DBS will work with the force concerned including, where appropriate, implementing a recovery plan.The DBS is working closely with the MPS to address its performance issues. An MPS Gold Group is overseeing the recovery plan and exploring all opportunities to process cases quickly. Measures include increasing recruitment, introducing an evening team to improve resilience, and prioritising and escalating cases where possible. All police disclosure units, including that of the MPS, are funded by the DBS which agrees a budget for each police force annually based on the expected numbers of local checks.

Vetting

Mr Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans the Disclosure and Barring Service has to protect vulnerable groups from exposure to unchecked employees and unregistered employers.

Karen Bradley: Holding answer received on 19 October 2015



The responsibility for protecting vulnerable groups in the workplace lies with employers. The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) provides access to criminal records and other relevant information held by the police to assist employers in considering suitability to work with children or vulnerable adults. It also maintains lists of those who are barred from work with either or both those groups.

Vetting

Mr Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many Disclosure and Barring Service checks were carried out in (a) the UK, (b) Lancashire and (c) Ribble Valley constituency in the last 12 months.

Karen Bradley: Holding answer received on 19 October 2015



Between 1 October 2014 and 30 September 2015, the Disclosure and Barring Service issued 4,209,742 disclosures. Of these, 102,252 were received from individuals living in Lancashire. The DBS does not hold information to show the number of certificates by constituency.

Home Office: Staff

Mr Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many full-time equivalent staff her Department allocated to responding to hon. Members' enquiries on their constituents' immigration issues on 1 September (a) 2012, (b) 2013, (c) 2014 and (d) 2015.

James Brokenshire: It is not possible to provide the Hon. Member with all the information requested as it is not readily available or held centrally and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost.UKVI requires many of its staff, as part of their roles, to contribute to dealing with immigration enquiries from Members. This can include providing contributions to Parliamentary Questions, Ministerial briefing or for a Select Committee hearing.Since 1 September 2015, UKVI has had dedicated MP Account Management teams whose job is to handle MP enquiries relating to their constituents. A total of 70 full-time equivalent staff are currently employed in these teams. Other members of staff will also contribute to the preparation of responses.Published statistics confirm that UKVI’s service to Members has continually exceeded its service standard since Q4 2014. The Hon. Member can access this information at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/customer-service-operations-data-august-2015.

College of Policing: Saudi Arabia

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to withdraw the courses and services provided by the College of Policing to the government of Saudi Arabia.

Mike Penning: Holding answer received on 19 October 2015



This is an agreement between the College of Policing and Saudi Arabia, and therefore any decision about the contract would be a matter for the College which is an independent organisation. The College currently has no plans to withdraw from the contract.

Asylum

Ian C. Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will carry out a review of asylum dispersal areas in the UK with a view to expanding the number of such areas.

James Brokenshire: In accordance with the provisions of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, senior Home Office officials are working closely with providers and local authorities to widen existing dispersal areas.

Community Engagement Forum

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the membership of the Community Engagement Forum is.

Mr John Hayes: Holding answer received on 19 October 2015



The Community Engagement Forum met for the first time on 13 October. Attendance at forum meetings will rotate to allow ministers to hear directly from a wide range of individuals and groups taking a leading role in challenging extremism in our communities.

Police and Crime Commissioners

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of Police and Crime Commissioners.

Mike Penning: Elected Police and Crime Commissioners are providing accountable, visible leadership, and making a real difference to policing locally. They are taking a lead role in driving collaboration between forces and with other emergency services to deliver more effective services and better value for money for the taxpayer.

Cumbria Constabulary: Finance

Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will take steps to ensure reductions in funding to Cumbria Constabulary do not result in a reduction in police numbers.

Mike Penning: Holding answer received on 20 October 2015



The size and make up of the police workforce is a matter for Chief Constables to take locally in conjunction with their democratically-elected Police and Crime Commissioners.

Members: Surveillance

Ms Margaret Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Wilson Doctrine has been consistently applied to the communications of the hon. Member for South Down; and whether that Member has been subject to surveillance.

Mr John Hayes: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Undocumented Migrants: Harwich

Mr Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 15 September 2015 to Question 9820, what information her Department holds on the bail conditions (a) sought and (b) applied in relation to the lorry drivers referred to in that Answer; and what information her Department holds on the whereabouts of those drivers.

James Brokenshire: Holding answer received on 21 October 2015



The four drivers remain on bail. They have provided the Home Office with up to date contact information, and we remain in contact with their legal representatives.

Crimes of Violence: Bury St Edmunds

Jo Churchill: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of trends in the number of offences of violence against a person in Bury St Edmunds constituency in the last five years.

Mike Penning: The Home Office has made no specific assessment of the trend in the number of offences of violence against a person recorded by the police in the Bury St Edmunds constituency over the last five years. The table below provides the number of such offences recorded by the police in the Western Suffolk Community Safety Partnership area, which includes Bury St Edmunds, over that period. It also provides the number of such offences for Suffolk as a whole.Violence against the person offences recorded by the police, Western Suffolk Community Safety Partnership and Suffolk police force area, year ending June 2010 to year ending June 2015Year ending June 2010Year ending June 2011Year ending June 2012Year ending June 2013Year ending June 2014Year ending June 2015% change year ending June 2010 to year ending June 2015Western Suffolk Community Safety Partnership3,0463,0083,0032,8973,0274,21138%Suffolk police force area8,0617,7867,9547,1097,1259,67920%The Office for National Statistics has said that recent increases in recorded violence reflect both better crime recording by police forces and a greater willingness of victims of domestic abuse to come forward.The independent Crime Survey for England and Wales, which is not affected by police crime recording practice, shows that overall crime is down by more than a quarter since June 2010, and that violence has fallen by 27% over the same period.

Home Office: Saudi Arabia

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will publish the Memorandum of Understanding entered into by her Department with the Saudi Arabian government.

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will set out the matters that have been discussed under the Memorandum of Understanding her Department entered into with the Saudi Arabia Ministry of the Interior in March 2014.

Mr John Hayes: Holding answer received on 21 October 2015



The Home Office does not publish nor detail discussions relating to security co-operation agreements with international partners as to do so would undermine bilateral relations and prejudice our ability to conduct work under these agreements.

Refugees: Calais

Mr Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to work with her French counterpart to allow increased access by humanitarian organisations to the refugee camp at Calais.

Mr Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the prevalence of sexual abuse of women in the Calais refugee camp; and what steps her Department is taking to ensure that women's safety in that camp is protected.

Mr Steve Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what reasons humanitarian organisations do not operate inside the refugee camps at Calais.

James Brokenshire: Holding answer received on 21 October 2015



The management of the migrant camps in Calais, including the involvement of any particular organisation, is the responsibility of the French Government. The UK has, however, provided specific financial assistance to fund a project aimed at protecting the most vulnerable people in the camps. This project was agreed by the Home Secretary and French Interior Minister in the UK-France Joint Declaration of August 2015. The project aims to increase observation in the camps to identify vulnerable migrants including those who may be victims of human trafficking; to provide medical help and protection where required; to put in place a system to transfer them briskly to places of safety; and to ensure they are offered the appropriate advice and support from the French system.

Offences against Children

Mr Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she has taken to ensure that adequate financial resources were allocated to investigations into cases of historical child sexual abuse in (a) the London Borough of Lambeth, (b) London and (c) England and Wales.

Mr Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of funding for investigations into cases of historical child sexual abuse in (a) the London Borough of Lambeth, (b) London and (c) England and Wales.

Mr Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of resources allocated within the Metropolitan Police to investigate cases of historical child sexual abuse; and if she will make a statement.

Karen Bradley: No case of child abuse is ‘historical’ for victims and survivors. They must live with the consequences of their abuse each and every day of their lives. The allocation of resources on investigations into cases of child sexual abuse, including abuse that has taken place in the past, is an operational matter for the police and law enforcement.We have prioritised child sexual abuse as a national threat which means that police forces and Police and Crime Commissioners must have in place the capabilities they need to protect children from sexual abuse. In 2015/16 we provided an additional £10 million to the National Crime Agency for the creation of more specialist teams to tackle online child sexual exploitation. We have also made available £1.7 million to fund Operation Hydrant, which coordinates the handling of multiple historical child sexual abuse investigations specifically concerning institutions or persons of public prominence, and up to £1.5 million to support regional coordinators and analysts to oversee the implementation of the National Policing Plan for tackling Child Sexual Exploitation.

Members: Surveillance

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Wilson Doctrine has been consistently applied to the communications of the hon. Member for Leeds North West; and whether that hon. Member or his staff have been subject to surveillance.

Mr John Hayes: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Refugees: Syria

Mr Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to monitor the number of Syrians seeking refugee status who enter the UK from Ireland; and if she will make a statement.

James Brokenshire: A person who is in genuine need of international protection should not travel through a safe country in order to choose where to claim asylum. If we have evidence that asylum seekers, including Syrian nationals, are the responsibility of Ireland we will seek to return them under the Dublin Regulation. Similarly, if we have evidence that individuals claiming asylum in the UK have already been granted international protection by Ireland we will also seek to return them.

Free Movement of People

Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to ensure that databases compiled by local authorities in respect of their regulatory functions can be used to ascertain whether non-UK EU citizens are legally exercising their rights under the Free Movement Directive; and if she will make a statement.

James Brokenshire: The Home Office continues to work with other departments to ensure that the criteria for assessing an EU national’s right of residence in order, for example, to gain access to a public service or benefit is made in line with EU free movement law. This information may be recorded in line with the relevant local authorities’ processes.

Counter-terrorism

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 16 October 2015 to Question 11726, how many Prevent co-ordinators are employed in England and Wales.

Mr John Hayes: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Home Office: Legal Costs

Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the cost to the public purse was of legal fees in the case of Bondada, R (on the application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2015] EWHC 2661 (Admin) (15 October 2015).

James Brokenshire: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Members: Surveillance

Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Wilson Doctrine has been consistently applied to the communications of the hon. Member for Lincoln since his election; and whether that hon. Member has been subject to surveillance.

Mr John Hayes: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Stone: Theft

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to tackle stone theft.

Mike Penning: We would encourage all victims of stone theft to report these crimes to the police so that they can be investigated and, where appropriate, taken through the courts and met with tough sentences.In addition, the police are working with Historic England and others to ensure that they have an up-to-date understanding of the nature of stone theft, in order to ensure a proportionate policing response.

Ministry of Defence

Submarines: Accidents

Brendan O'Hara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department took to comply with the requirement for transparency set out in paragraph 5c of Annex B of the Fishing Vessel Avoidance UK Code of Practice extracted from SMP 95 dated 5 June 2002 in the incident with MV Karen on 15 April 2015.

Penny Mordaunt: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 15 September 2015 to Question number 9422 and to the Westminster Hall Debate on 16 September 2015 (Official Report, column 362WH). The submarine was not aware of the incident at the time and, therefore, did not surface. If the submarine had been aware of the incident, the protocols in place under the Code of Practice would have required her to surface and remain on scene to render assistance.As I said during the Westminster Hall Debate on 16 September 2015, the Royal Navy's reporting procedures have been reviewed to enable it to confirm more quickly in future whether a UK submarine is involved in an incident. If it cannot be confirmed quickly that a Royal Navy submarine was not involved in an incident, we will assume that one was. There should, therefore, be no delay in verifying the involvement of a Royal Navy submarine, and the appropriate action in respect of compensation can be initiated within a few days.



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Navy: Deployment

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has any plans to reduce the length of deployments for Royal Navy personnel; and if he will make a statement.

Penny Mordaunt: There is currently no plan to reduce the length of deployments for Royal Navy personnel.

Military Decorations: Northern Ireland

Danny Kinahan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will introduce a service medal to people serving in Operation Helvetic.

Mark Lancaster: There are no plans to issue a Service medal for the support provided by the UK Armed Forces to the Police Service of Northern Ireland since 1 August 2007, known as Operation Helvetic.

Army: Apprentices

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of soldiers have been awarded the Public Services apprenticeship without having attained Level 2 in English and mathematics or having sat a test at Level 2 in English and mathematics as part of their apprenticeship course.

Mark Lancaster: The Army is compliant with the Government policy requiring apprenticeships to offer learners training to Level 2 English and Mathematics where that level has not already been achieved; however apprentices are only required to pass Level 1 to complete their apprenticeship. In 2014-15, around 20% of those soldiers who achieved a Public Service Apprenticeship also achieved a qualification at Level 2 in English or Maths, or both, during the course of their apprenticeship. Information is not held centrally for those learners who had already achieved that level of qualification (or equivalent) prior to enrolment and are therefore not required to take further qualifications at that stage, or for those who have studied at Level 2, but did not achieve the qualification.

Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the memorandum from the Director of the US Office of the Secretary of Defense on Observations on the Marine Corps F-35B Demonstration on USS Wasp, published by Project on Government Oversight on 14 September 2015, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policy on procurement of the F-35 of that memorandum's finding on that aircraft's reliability and combat readiness.

Mr Philip Dunne: The trial aboard the USS Wasp was an operational test for the United States Marine Corps (USMC) F-35B, with much of the data produced being used to inform the USMC's declaration of initial operating capability. This achievement was a significant milestone for the USMC and for the wider Joint Strike Fighter programme, particularly for the UK which operates the same Short Take-Off Vertical Landing variant.UK personnel were fully embedded in the USS Wasp trial and we will use the data gathered from this event, future trials and operational deployments to support our own flying trials aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth in 2018 as we re-generate the UK's Carrier Strike capability.

Ministry of Defence: Data Protection

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department has taken to prepare for the implementation of the proposed General Data Protection Regulation; which non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) and agencies overseen by his Department will be affected by that regulation; and what estimate he has made of the potential liability of his Department, its agencies and NDPBs in connection with that proposed regulation.

Mark Lancaster: Until the General Data Protection Regulation has been finalised, the Department is not able to prepare for its implementation or make any estimate of the affect that it might have.

Military Attaches

Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, in which countries UK defence attachés are posted.

Mr Julian Brazier: There are resident Defence Attachés in the following countries:Afghanistan - KabulAlgeria - AlgiersArgentina - Buenos AiresAustralia - CanberraAustria - ViennaBahrain - ManamaEstonia - TallinnBangladesh - DhakaBosnia and Herzegovina - SarajevoBrazil - BrasiliaBrunei - Bandar Seri BegawanBurma - RangoonCanada - OttawaChile - SantiagoChina - BeijingColombia - BogotaCroatia - ZagrebCyprus - NicosiaCzech Republic - PragueDenmark - CopenhagenEgypt - CairoEthiopia - Addis AbabaFrance - ParisGeorgia - TbilisiGermany - BerlinGhana - AccraGreece - AthensIndia - New DelhiIndonesia - JakartaIraq - BaghdadIreland - DublinIsrael - Tel AvivItaly - RomeJamaica - KingstonJapan - TokyoJordan - AmmanKazakhstan - AstanaKenya - NairobiKorea - SeoulKuwait - Kuwait CityLebanon - BeirutLibya - TripoliFormer Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia - SkopjeMalaysia - Kuala LumpurMexico - Mexico CityMorocco - RabatNepal - KathmanduNetherlands - The HagueNew Zealand - WellingtonNigeria - AbujaNorway - OsloOman - MuscatPakistan - IslamabadPoland - WarsawQatar - DohaRomania - BucharestRussia - MoscowSaudi Arabia - RiyadhSerbia - BelgradeSierra Leone - FreetownSingapore - Singapore CitySomalia - MogadishuSouth Africa - PretoriaSouth Sudan - JubaSpain - MadridSudan - KhartoumSweden - StockholmThailand - BangkokTurkey - AnkaraUganda - KampalaUkraine - KyivUnited Arab Emirates - Abu DhabiUnited States of America - UK Mission to UNUnited States of America - WashingtonUzbekistan - TashkentVietnam - HanoiYemen - Sana'aZimbabwe - HarareThere is Non-Resident Accreditation for a further 82 countries.

HM Treasury

Tobacco: Smuggling

Mark Spencer: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Answer of 30 October 2012, Official Report, column 210W, on tobacco: smuggling, how many individual seizures were made by the Border Force and HM Revenue and Customs in each of the last five years; and what the total volume of the products seized in each year was.

Damian Hinds: To the extent that we are able to provide details, the following tables show the number of individual seizures of cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco (HRT) made in each of the last five years and the total volume of tobacco products seized. This does not include the number of individual overseas seizures, which are not recorded centrally, or the number of individual postal seizures from 2010-11 when a new information system was introduced.Cigarettes: Number of SeizuresHMRCUKBFOverseasTotal2010/112,01128,787N/A307982011/121,84528,750N/A305952012/131,21530,011N/A312262013/1454335,622N/A361652014/1558239,578N/A40160Cigarettes: Quantity (Sticks)HMRCUKBFOverseasTotal2010/1176,559,489650,060,670991,713,2801,718,333,4392011/12142,230,184455,174,1331,134,984,8001,732,389,1172012/1398,477,437487,835,3381,271,622,1811,857,934,9562013/1459,599,120318,880,0741,058,975,0551,437,454,2492014/1575,953,705439,018,3941,252,616,8401,767,588,939HRT: Number of Seizures.HMRCUKBFOverseasTotal2010/111,59610,814N/A12,4102011/121,56711,533N/A13,1002012/131,04412,552N/A13,5962013/1446112,057N/A12,5182014/1541112,804N/A13,215HRT: Quantity (Kgs)HMRCUKBFOverseasTotal2010/1146,741314,77527,889389,4052011/1256,295508,1127,815572,2222012/1367,872359,63555,658483,1652013/1432,921262,87334,200329,9942014/1557,183227,92827,901313,012

Foreign Relations: China

Andrew Rosindell: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to improve Britain's economic ties with China.

Harriett Baldwin: In 2014, UK goods exports to China were worth £15.5bn, making China our 6th largest goods export partner. The government wants to improve this relationship, with a target for China to be the 2nd largest recipient of UK exports within a decade.The Government warmly welcomes the State Visit of President Xi and Madame Peng, an important milestone that should lay the foundations for a golden age in the bilateral relationship. The Visit will build upon the sustained engagement by the Chancellor and other Ministers to deepen UK-China economic cooperation, including via the annual, Chancellor-led Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD).At the most recent EFD in September 2015, both sides agreed a package of measure to strengthen their long-term collaboration, including on capital markets, bond markets, green finance, asset management and insurance. Further detail can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/462412/EFD_factsheet.pdf

Pensions: Fraud

Owen Smith: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of changes in the level of scam activity associated with pensions following the introduction of pensions freedoms.

Harriett Baldwin: Figures from Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and internet crime, show that there were 261 crime reports from 1st April to 30th August 2015 classified as Pension Liberation Fraud. The average number of reports per month has declined so far this financial year, with an average of 52 reports per month compared to an average of 79 crime reports for financial year 2014/2015.However, it is too early to tell what impact the freedoms have had on prevalence of fraud. These figures relate to “reported fraud” only – figures taking account of “actual fraud” will take much longer to flow through.Monitoring the market for scams and misselling is the responsibility of the regulators, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Pensions Regulator. The FCA, in line with its remit to protect consumers and ensure markets function in consumers’ interests, has specifically committed to monitoring developments in the retirement income market closely and to take action where consumers are coming to harm or where the market is not operating competitively. The Government remains in close contact with the regulators, and other organisations such as industry trade bodies, on these issues.Pension Wise, the Government’s free and impartial guidance service, also helps individuals understand how to spot and avoid scams. Where its users are at risk or have been scammed, they are referred to the appropriate organisations, such as Action Fraud.

Block Grant: Northern Ireland

Tom Elliott: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 20 July 2015 to Question 7017, on Block grant: Northern Ireland, what information his Department holds on which department in Northern Ireland will receive the additional funding.

Greg Hands: Barnett consequentials arising from the Summer Budget were added to the Northern Ireland block grant. It will be for the Northern Ireland Executive to decide which department the additional provision is allocated to.

Insurance

Tom Elliott: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effect of the practice of insurance companies basing premiums on postcode areas on differentials in premiums paid by consumers.

Harriett Baldwin: No such assessment has been made.

VAT: Fuels

Bill Wiggin: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much revenue was raised from VAT on road fuel in (a) 2011, (b) 2012, (c) 2013, (d) 2014 and (e) 2015.

Mr David Gauke: The information requested is not available. HM Revenue and Customs does not collect data on VAT receipts from particular goods and services.

Child Tax Credit: Carers

Neil Gray: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether a kinship carer with more than two children in their care, either their own children or under a kinship arrangement, and who receives tax credits, will be affected by the decision not to permit an additional claim for the credits for a third child.

Damian Hinds: The Welfare Reform and Work Bill already allows for prescribed exemptions to apply to this policy. The government will set out further details in due course.

National Insurance Contributions

Ben Howlett: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what guidance his Department gives to ensure that the implications of missing national insurance contributions are made clear to those concerned at the time they are missed.

Mr David Gauke: There is a range of guidance available to help a person understand the implications of not paying national insurance. A person’s record can be made up of national insurance contributions and credits from a variety of sources. When these are posted to the individual’s contributions record after the end of the tax year the individual may have insufficient contributions on their account for that year to qualify for certain benefits. These gaps in a person’s national insurance contributions record may be filled by the payment of voluntary Class 3 contributions.  HM Revenue and Customs has published guidance on GOV.UK that explains when the payment of voluntary Class 3 contributions may be beneficial, eligibility, rates and how and when to pay. This is available to view here: https://www.gov.uk/voluntary-national-insurance-contributions

Revenue and Customs

Stephen Doughty: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, on what dates officials or Ministers at HM Revenue and Customs have met (a) representatives of Mitie and (b) representatives of MiHomecare in the last year.

Mr David Gauke: HM Revenue and Customs does not comment on an individual taxpayer or company for reasons of confidentiality.

Social Services: Minimum Wage

Stephen Doughty: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when he expects HM Revenue and Customs to report on its investigations into alleged non-compliance by care sector companies with national minimum wage legislation.

Mr David Gauke: The Government is determined that everyone who is entitled to the National Minimum Wage (NMW) receives it. Anyone who feels they have been underpaid NMW should contact the Acas helpline on 0300 123 1100. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) review all complaints that are referred to them. Care sector complaints are a priority area and are fast-tracked for investigation.HMRC have published an extensive evaluation of NMW enforcement in the social care sector over the period 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2013; there are no plans to publish an additional report on this sector at present:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-minimum-wage-compliance-in-the-social-care-sector

Nuclear Power

Caroline Lucas: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the evidential basis is for his statement to the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee on 8 September 2015 that the cost of new nuclear power is substantially cheaper than any other low-carbon technology; what the current (a) strike price, (b) length of contract and (c) loan guarantees are available for (i) onshore wind, (ii) offshore wind, (iii) large scale solar, (iv) other renewable electricity technologies and (v) nuclear power; and if he will make a statement.

Damian Hinds: Nuclear power is the cheapest low carbon technology that can provide baseload power, i.e. constant generation compared to the intermittent generation of renewables like wind and solar. The Hinkley Point C strike price is £92.50.MWh (reduced to £89.50/MWh if Sizewell comes forward) for 35 years. An initial guarantee of £2bn has been offered.The government supports large scale low carbon generation through Contracts for Difference, which offer a standard tenor of 15 years. The 2015 administrative strike prices are available through https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/263937/Final_Document_-_Investing_in_renewable_technologies_-_CfD_contract_terms_and_strike_prices_UPDATED_6_DEC.pdfAuction results are available through https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/407465/Breakdown_information_on_CFD_auctions.pdfThe UK Guarantee Scheme is open to major infrastructure in sectors such as energy, transport, and communications. The scheme, which covers all sectors, will provide up to £40bn of guarantees. It was set up to support investment in infrastructure projects which may have been delayed by adverse conditions in the financial markets, without ‘crowding out’ private sector investment where it is available. The scheme is currently set to close to new projects in December 2016.A list of projects that have successfully used the scheme can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-guarantees-scheme-prequalified-projects/uk-guarantees-scheme-table-of-prequalified-projects

Economic Growth

Stephen Timms: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effect of the slowing of the growth of the Chinese economy on growth in the UK.

Harriett Baldwin: The Treasury continuously monitors global economic developments, including those in China, and their impact on the UK as part of the normal process of policy development.

Welfare Tax Credits

Mr Jamie Reed: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the proportion of people in receipt of tax credits who will have their income reduced as a result of the proposed government changes to tax credits.

Damian Hinds: The government set out its assessment of the impacts of the Summer Budget policies in the Welfare Reform and Work Bill on 20th July 2015. Taken together, the introduction of the National Living Wage, increases in the personal allowance and welfare changes mean that 8 out of 10 working households will be better off as a result of the Summer Budget.The Summer Budget offered a new deal for working people. It means Britain moving from a high welfare, high tax, low wage economy to a lower welfare, lower tax, higher wage society.A new National Living Wage for workers aged 25 and above, initially set at £7.20 per hour from April 2016, will directly benefit 2.7 million low wage workers, and up to 6 million could see a pay rise as a result of a ripple effect up the earnings distribution. The new National Living Wage will boost pay for those currently earning the National Minimum Wage by £4,800 a year by 2020 when the National Living Wage is expected to rise to over £9 per hour.To help working families keep more of what they earn, the personal allowance will increase to £11,000 in 2016-17 and £11,200 in 2017-18. The government has committed to increase the personal allowance to £12,500 by 2020 which will mean that a typical basic rate taxpayer will see their income tax cut by £1,205 a year compared to 2010.

Homelessness

Melanie Onn: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the homelessness prevention grant will continue to be paid to local authorities after the phasing out of the core local government grant.

Greg Hands: We want a radical reshaping of the relationship between central and local government, ending the merry go round of clawing back local taxes into Whitehall and handing them out again in the form of grants. We will do this by giving local government full retention of its Business Rates by 2020, meaning all income from local taxes will go towards funding local services. We will work closely with the sector over the coming weeks and months to ensure local people have more control over how their money is spent. This will mean looking at the grants that currently go from central government to local authorities, and the range of responsibilities central government asks local government to deliver. There will still be redistribution between councils so that councils don’t lose out just because their area starts from a weaker position. We will set out more detail at the Spending Review.

London-Brighton Railway Line

Peter Kyle: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what progress has been made on the feasibility study into the Brighton Main Line 2 proposals announced as part of the Summer Budget 2015 on 8 July 2015.

Greg Hands: Last week, the government published the terms of reference of the London-South Coast Rail Corridor Study. This will consider the case for investment in existing and new capacity on this important corridor, including the feasibility of a second Brighton Main line, and will recommend priorities in the short, medium and long term.

Social Services: Minimum Wage

Stephen Doughty: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many companies in the care sector are being investigated by HM Revenue and Customs for alleged non-compliance with national minimum wage legislation.

Mr David Gauke: The Government is determined that everyone who is entitled to the National Minimum Wage (NMW) receives it. Anyone who feels they have been underpaid NMW should contact the Acas helpline on 0300 123 1100. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) review all complaints that are referred to them.

Department for Energy and Climate Change

Energy

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, if she will announce the timetable for the publication of a new Energy White Paper.

Andrea Leadsom: Holding answer received on 19 October 2015



Energy policy is constantly kept under review, but government departments do not publish White Papers as a matter of routine. The Government is focused on delivering its priorities to ensure security of supply, to keep bills as low as possible and decarbonise the economy cost effectively and does not have any plans to publish a new White Paper at the current time.

Renewable Energy

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, whether it is her policy to increase the proportion of energy in the UK generated from renewable sources.

Andrea Leadsom: The Department for Energy and Climate Change has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Nuclear Power Stations: Construction

Alan Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, pursuant to the Answer of 15 October 2015 to Question 11023, how many developers are developing proposals at each of the sites referred to in that Answer; what indicative electricity strike rates have been discussed with those developers; and what (a) generating capacity and (b) potential timescales have been discussed with each developer in each case.

Andrea Leadsom: I set out the position below. It is too soon to say what any strike price might be for these projects.SiteDeveloperProposed generating capacityPotential timescale for operationWylfaHorizon2.7 GWmid-2020sOldburyHorizon2.7 GWto be confirmedMoorsideNuGen3.6 GWmid-2020sSizewellEDF/CGN3.2 GWto be confirmedBradwellEDF/CGNto be confirmedto be confirmed

Business: Climate Change

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment she has made of the progress of UK firms in reducing their contribution to climate change.

Andrea Leadsom: Since 2003, the UK has had the least energy intensive economy in the G7. In its recent progress report, the Committee on Climate Change set out provisional figures for 2014 [1] which indicate that industrial output grew while energy consumption and emissions fell. The Government response [2] to the CCC report provides further assessment of progress towards reducing emissions from all sectors, including business.However, there is still significant untapped energy efficiency potential in the business sector, estimated at 45TWh in 2020, representing around 10% of current business energy use. On 28 September Government launched a consultation reviewing the business energy tax landscape that will seek to better exploit this potential, reducing energy costs and improving productivity, while minimising administrative burdens. For energy intensive industry, following publication of the 2050 Industrial Decarbonisation and Energy Efficiency Roadmaps in March, the Government is working with sectors to develop action plans to enable industry to contribute to our decarbonisation targets while remaining competitive in the international marketplace.[1] https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/reducing-emissions-and-preparing-for-climate-change-2015-progress-report-to-parliament/[2] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/committee-on-climate-changes-2015-progress-report-government-response

China: Nuclear Power

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, pursuant to the Answer of 16 October 2015 to Question 11184, on China: nuclear power, what guarantees are in place to ensure that details of the operation of nuclear power stations that represent a potential threat in the hands of a foreign power do not reach the Chinese government; what access the Chinese government will have to the details of (a) operational information and (b) security regulations relating to those UK nuclear power stations with Chinese (i) investment and (ii) involvement in construction; whether input will be sought from Chinese (A) investors and (B) government officials for reviews of the regulatory framework for security in the civil nuclear industry; and if she will make a statement.

Andrea Leadsom: The Department for Energy and Climate Change has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

China: Nuclear Power

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, pursuant to the Answer of 16 October 2015 to Question 11184, on China: nuclear power, if she will publish details of the arrangements for managing the relationship between Chinese National Nuclear Corporation, the Office for Nuclear Regulation and the UK security services.

Andrea Leadsom: The Department for Energy and Climate Change has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Solar Power: Feed-in Tariffs

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment she has made of the effect of proposed changes to the feed-in-tariff on solar firms and small businesses in (a) Lewisham Deptford constituency, (b) London Borough of Lewisham, (c) London and (d) England.

Andrea Leadsom: Our consultation on the feed-in tariff review reflects the need to balance sector support whilst keeping bills down for consumers. We published an impact assessment on our proposals available here:https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/consultation-on-a-review-of-the-feed-in-tariff-scheme.We have strongly encouraged evidence from the sector during this review consultation, which ended on 23 October, to assist our analysis of the potential impact on the wider economy, including jobs.

Electricity: Meters

Dr Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what her policy is on the introduction of net metering for (a) domestic and (b) commercial electricity generating installations.

Andrea Leadsom: We are currently consulting on the future of the Feed-in Tariff and will consider all stakeholder views, including any representations on net metering, as part of the government response. The consultation closes on 23rd October 2015.

Cabinet Office

Internet: Access

Grahame Morris: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that people unable to access the internet are not (a) disadvantaged as consumers and (b) denied access to government services.

Grahame Morris: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate the Government has made of the number of people in Easington constituency who have never used the internet.

Grahame Morris: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent estimate the Government has made of the number of people in Easington constituency who are unable to access the internet.

Grahame Morris: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps the Government is taking to promote digital inclusion in Easington constituency (a) in general and (b) for hard to reach groups who have never accessed online content.

Matthew Hancock: Information provided by ONS for the period January to March 2015 shows that 11% of adults in the UK (5.9 million) had never used the internet. In 2015 14% of households in Great Britain had no internet access.Official data at local constituency level is not available.The Digital Inclusion Strategy launched in 2014 outlined that by 2016 we will have reduced the number of people who are offline by 25% and by 2020 everyone who can be online should be online. 85 partners work with government to reach this goal, including the Tinder Foundation, Post Office, Argos, Barclays, LGA, Go ON UK, Society of Chief Librarians, Digital Unite and Age UK.The government recognises that there are many reasons for not being online. We will always provide assisted digital support for people who need help accessing government services.Many of these partners have local delivery networks, and work with hard to reach groups. Details of local resources can be found from a number of sources, including libraries and the Post Office. A range of services are available in Easington, including Easington Colliery Library, which provides internet and email facilities; and there are a number of UK Online Centres in the Easington area.

Civil Servants: Redundancy Pay

Ian Lavery: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many requests for voluntary exit payments for Civil Service employees with a value of more than £95,000 he has received since May 2015.

Ian Lavery: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many voluntary exit payments for Civil Service employees with a value of more than £95,000 have been rejected since May 2015.

Ian Lavery: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many requests for voluntary exit payments for Civil Service employees with a value of more than £95,000 have been outstanding since May 2015.

Ian Lavery: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the average value was of voluntary exit payments for Civil Service employees with a value of more than £95,000 made since May 2015.

Ian Lavery: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the average length of time is from receipt of a request for a voluntary exit payment for a Civil Service employee with a value of more than £95,000 to a decision on that request.

Ian Lavery: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many voluntary exit payments for Civil Service employees with a value of more than £95,000, have been rejected for employees who would have left the service by the end of September 2015.

Ian Lavery: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many voluntary exit payments for Civil Service employees with a value of more than £95,000 have been approved since May 2015.

Ian Lavery: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, on what criteria he agrees voluntary exit payments for Civil Service employees with a value of more than £95,000.

Matthew Hancock: Information about the number and value of payments made under the Civil Service Compensation Scheme are accounted for in Departmental annual reports. Details about the overall number of cases rejected under the scheme is not held centrally.There are no cases that are currently outstanding that were submitted to my department before 1 October 2015.

Civil Servants: Training

Louise Haigh: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make it his policy to collect socio-economic information on the (a) Future Leaders' Scheme, (b) Senior Leaders' Scheme, (c) High Potential Development Scheme for Directors and (d) other internal talent management schemes.

Matthew Hancock: The Cabinet Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Civil Servants: Recruitment

Louise Haigh: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if his Department will take steps to ensure that graduates from a working class background are recruited onto the Civil Service Fast Stream.

Matthew Hancock: The Cabinet Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Civil Servants: Equality

Louise Haigh: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will take steps to ensure improved working class representation in the civil service.

Matthew Hancock: The Cabinet Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Civil Servants: Recruitment

Louise Haigh: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people from a working class background were recruited onto the Civil Service Fast Track Apprenticeship Scheme in each year since its inception.

Matthew Hancock: The Cabinet Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Civil Servants: Recruitment

Louise Haigh: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Government plans to publish the socio-economic status of entrants to the Senior Civil Service, Fast Stream and Fast Track Apprentice Scheme.

Matthew Hancock: The Cabinet Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Suicide: Greater London

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people have taken their own life in (a) Lewisham, Deptford constituency, (b) the London Borough of Lewisham and (c) Greater London in each of the last three years.

Mr Rob Wilson: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.



UKSA Letter to Member - Taking their own lives
(PDF Document, 183.53 KB)

Department of Health

Electronic Cigarettes

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the number of smokers who have switched to e-cigarettes; and what estimate he has made of the effect of that switch on the NHS budget.

Jane Ellison: Survey data suggests the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) among adults in Great Britain has increased to 2.6 million in 2015, of whom 1.1 million have completely stopped smoking.The Department recognises that e-cigarettes can help smokers to quit and the evidence indicates that they are less harmful to health than smoking tobacco. There is not yet enough evidence on which to make an estimate of the impact on National Health Service costs of smokers switching to e-cigarettes.

Nhs England

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will place in the Library (a) agendas and (b) minutes of meetings of the NHS England Industry Council; and if he will make a statement.

George Freeman: The Industry Council was established by NHS England in late 2013 to build a more effective and mutually beneficial relationship with the life sciences industry. The Council met three times in 2014.Given the informal networking nature of the meetings, we understand that minutes were not taken. Outline programmes were however prepared in advance, detailing the speakers and areas of work to be covered, and these are attached.NHS England is an independent body which determines its own arrangements for liaison with its stakeholders. NHS England continues to support formal engagement with industry through Department of Health led forums including the Ministerial Industry Strategy Group and the Ministerial Medical Technology Strategy Group.



Industry Council Meeting Programme- January 2014
(PDF Document, 192.69 KB)




Industry Council Meeting Programme- April 2014
(PDF Document, 199.52 KB)




Industry Council Meeting Programme- October 2014
(PDF Document, 231.86 KB)

Breast Cancer

Paula Sherriff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent steps the Government has taken to improve care and support for people with breast cancer.

Jane Ellison: The independent Cancer Taskforce’s report, Achieving World-Class Cancer Outcomes: A Strategy for England 2015-2020, recommends improvements across the cancer pathway with the aim of improving survival rates, including for people with breast cancer.We are working with the National Health Service, charities and patient groups to deliver it. To support delivery of the strategy, NHS England has appointed Cally Palmer as NHS National Cancer Director. Whilst continuing in her current position at the Royal Marsden, she will lead the implementation of the strategy, alongside work to test new models of care at the Royal Marsden and University College London Hospitals in partnership with Manchester Cancer.Improving Outcomes in Breast Cancer, published by the Department in 1996 and updated by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (now known as the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)) in 2002, sets out best practice evidence based guidance on the diagnosis, treatment and care of women with breast cancer. The guidance is complimented by clinical guidelines on Breast cancer (early and locally advanced) and Breast cancer (advanced) published by NICE in 2009, and Familial breast cancer published in June 2013.NICE has also published a quality standard for breast cancer which is designed to drive and measure priority quality improvements in a breast cancer care. This is currently being updated.In addition, NHS England has a Breast Cancer Clinical Reference Group, which is administratively supported by the charities Breast Cancer Now and Breast Cancer Care. It has produced evidence based service guidance to support commissioners of breast cancer services, which is in the process of review internally.The results of the 2014 Cancer Patient Experience survey show improvements in many areas. 89% of all patients reported that their care was either excellent or very good, and breast cancer patients on the whole reported a more positive experience than for many other cancer patients, with 93% reporting having been given the name of a Clinical Nurse Specialist.On 13 September, based on the recommendations of the independent Cancer Taskforce report, we announced a number of measures to improve diagnosis, treatment and aftercare of people with cancer. This included a commitment that, by 2020, the 280,000 people diagnosed with cancer every year will benefit from a tailored recovery package. The packages will be individually designed to help each person live well beyond cancer, including things such as physical activity programmes, psychological support and practical advice about returning to work.

Junior Doctors: Conditions of Employment

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the effect of the proposed new junior doctor contract on the ability of female doctors to take time out of training for parental leave.

Ben Gummer: The proposed new contract will not affect the ability of doctors in training (male or female) to take time out for parental leave. All doctors will be treated the same.There will be no change to the existing leave and pay entitlements for those taking a break for maternity or parental leave. Pay on return will be the same as that for other trainees at the same stage of training and/or responsibility. This is consistent with what happens for other public sector staff.

Action on Smoking and Health

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether any grant monitoring forms in relation to funds awarded by his Department to Action on Smoking and Health were submitted late.

Jane Ellison: Action on Smoking and Health provided grant Monitoring Reports on completion of each project. The timing of the submission of these reports was agreed with the Tobacco Control policy team.

Drugs

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he plans next to publish a report on international comparisons of medicines usage; at what frequency he will publish such reports; what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the most recently published report; and if he will make a statement.

George Freeman: International comparisons of medicines usage are included in the annual publication of the life science competitiveness indicators. This report is published annually, it was last published in March 2015, and the next publication will be inMarch 2016. This provides comparisons of the usage of innovative National Institute for Health and Care Excellence approved medicines per head of the population, over time. It does not make adjustments for the prices of medicines and the level of expenditure on medicines in different countries or the financial sustainability of different levels of uptake.The Accelerated Access Review (AAR) is looking at ways to revolutionise the speed at which 21st century innovations in medicines, medical technologies and digital products get to National Health Service patients and their families. As part of the AAR, RAND Europe completed a piece of work to explore learning from international comparators on how to accelerate access to innovative drugs and medical technologies. This informed much of our early stakeholder engagement and scoping work. The AAR has commissioned a further piece of research to look at best practice international funding and reimbursement models, including testing how these could be applicable to this country’s health and care system.Link to competitiveness indicators March 2015 publication:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/life-science-sector-dataRAND Europe – Improving Access to Medical Technologies – An International Review:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/improving-access-to-medical-technologies-an-international-review

Health: Homelessness

Ben Howlett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he plans to take to improve the physical and mental health of homeless people.

Ben Howlett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he has taken to ensure that people who are homeless have access to talking therapies.

Alistair Burt: Homelessness can lead to significant physical and mental health problems, and without accommodation and support, the chances of recovery are very limited. The £10 million Homeless Hospital Discharge Fund promoted new ways of improving the discharge arrangements of homeless people from hospital by working with other local services to help their recovery and improve their health.In April, the £40 million Homelessness Change/Platform for Life programme was launched. This programme will join up health and housing services, and help support young people at risk of homelessness across the country. We will be announcing the successful programme bids shortly.Talking Therapies, like the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme are a key weapon in addressing the mental health needs of vulnerable groups, like homeless people. While the normal referral processes to IAPT services are through general practitioners (GPs), individuals can self-refer, meaning that homeless people can refer themselves to services without the need for a GP.Public Health England is also working with local authorities to help them understand better the physical and mental health needs of homeless people in which access to IAPT will play a part.

NHS: Procurement

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of minimum and maximum payments terms for suppliers to the NHS.

George Freeman: Further to the answer given on 14 October 2015 to Question 11175, in June last year the Department and the Cabinet Office Mystery Shopper scheme carried out spot checks with a number of trusts to find out the level of take up of the new NHS Terms and Conditions. The results showed 90% of the trusts contacted confirmed they were using (or intended to use) the new sets of NHS Terms and Conditions.

Blood: Contamination

Rebecca Long Bailey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health of 20 July 2015, Official Report, column 1221, when he plans for the public consultation on support available for people affected by contaminated blood products to begin.

Rebecca Long Bailey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to cost potential recommendations for reform of the schemes to assist people affected by contaminated blood products.

Jane Ellison: The Department is considering wider reform of financial assistance and other support for those affected with HIV and/or hepatitis C by infected NHS-supplied blood or blood products. We are doing this within the context of the spending review and in a way that is sustainable for the future and we plan to consult on scheme reform before the end of the year.Before the election, the Prime Minister announced an additional £25 million to ease transition to a reformed system of payments for affected individuals. The Department is currently considering how that money will be used.

Junior Doctors: Conditions of Employment

Dr   Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what criteria the Government and NHS employers will use to distinguish between residential and non-residential on call duties in the proposed new contract for junior doctors.

Dr   Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how the Government and NHS employers plan to supplement junior doctors' salaries for (a) residential and (b) non-residential on call duties in the proposed new contract for junior doctors.

Ben Gummer: The concepts of “residential” and “non-residential” on-call do not exist in the current contract for doctors and dentists in training, nor will they exist in the new contract arrangements being proposed. These are colloquial terms used to refer to some of the current working arrangements, which include on-call rotas, partial shifts, full shifts and some hybrid arrangements.Currently there are pay banding supplements, on top of basic salary, the levels of which are determined by working hours and patterns.Under the proposals for a new contract, banding supplements will end. In their place will be increased basic pay, plus proportionate pay for additional hours, with a premium rate of pay for hours worked in the unsocial hours period. There will also be on-call availability supplements for being on an on-call rota, i.e. being available to return to work but not expected to be on-site for the whole period. These supplements will be a percentage of pay, of different values depending on the frequency of the on-call commitment.These proposals are - as in other respects - substantially the same as those agreed when the hon. Member was a Minister.

Junior Doctors: Conditions of Employment

Dr   Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how the Government and NHS employers have involved Health Education England in the planning and negotiation of the new junior doctors contract.

Dr   Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what formal role Health Education England has played in his Department's engagement and meetings with the BMA and other health care unions in developing the new proposed junior doctors and consultant contracts.

Dr   Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, which meetings on the proposed new junior doctor and consultant contracts organised by his Department or NHS employers were attended by representatives from Health Education England.

Ben Gummer: Health Education England (HEE) was not formally represented in negotiations: the two parties to the negotiations were employers (from each of the four United Kingdom countries) and the British Medical Association.A Director of Postgraduate Hospital Training and a Director of Postgraduate GP Education were involved in negotiations, and remain involved with the development of a new contract. Whilst they are employees of HEE, their role has been to provide educational advice to the management side (employers) as representatives of the Conference of Postgraduate Medical Deans (UK) and the Committee of General Practice Education Directors (UK). They have attended a range of meetings in that capacity, including the management side meetings and the negotiating meetings that took place roughly every fortnight from October 2013 to October 2014.Representatives from HEE also attended other meetings where there were updates on contract reform, including NHS Employers’ quarterly Medical Workforce Forum; and other less formal meetings at which contract reform was discussed, including regular update meetings with the hon. Member, the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department.

Health Services: Veterans

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to assist and advise all British ex-servicemen resident in the Republic of Ireland on financial support for medicines and medical aftercare.

Ben Gummer: Neither the Department nor the National Health Service commissions or provides medicine or medical aftercare for veterans in the Republic of Ireland (ROI).However, all veterans who reside overseas and are in receipt of a United Kingdom war pension, a war widows’ pension or armed forces compensation scheme payments plus their spouse/civil partner and children (under 18) are entitled to receive free healthcare from the NHS in the UK.All UK Veterans residing in the ROI are able to access the UK Ministry of Defence Veterans UK website and helpline and the Veteran Welfare Service for any additional support. Veterans UK may meet the cost of treatment for accepted war pension condition(s) provided the treatment is:- clinically necessary for a disability due to service; and- not available free of charge through the health system in the country of residence.The Ministry of Defence has a contract with Leopardstown Park Hospital Trust in Dublin that provides, through the hospital, facilities for the short and long-term care of former UK service personnel and their spouses, who are resident in the ROI and can also provide financial assistance to those who have been disabled or invalided as a result of service with the Armed Forces of the United Kingdom.

Department of Health: Grants

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what representations his Department has received on the (a) award and (b) disbursement of grants made under section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968.

Alistair Burt: The Department has interpreted the question to mean all official correspondence received since 1 October 2014. The information is attached.



Section 64 grant funding representations 2014-15
(Excel SpreadSheet, 14.44 KB)

Department of Health: Grants

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what arrangements are in place to ensure that grants made by his Department under section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968 are awarded transparently.

Alistair Burt: The majority of grants made under section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968 are awarded through competed schemes where the assessment criteria are published. A small number of non-competed grants are also made by the Department and these are all assessed against the same criteria.The standard business case criteria includes a Strategic Case, Economic Case, Financial Case, Commercial Case and Project Governance.All grants awarded under Section 64 powers require both HM Treasury and Ministerial approval as set out in the legislation.A standard set of terms and conditions are used for all Section 64 grant awards, these have been agreed by the Departments legal team.

Action on Smoking and Health

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether his Department has taken disciplinary action in respect of section 64 grants made to Action on Smoking and Health and their subsequent use.

Jane Ellison: Grants awarded under Section 64 of the Health and Social Care Act are awarded at the discretion of the Secretary of State. They are recoverable or can be discontinued if they are not used for the purposes for which they are given.The Department considers that the Section 64 grants made to Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) have been used for the purpose for which they were given. There have been no grounds on which to take disciplinary action in respect of any section 64 grants made to ASH and their subsequent use.

Action on Smoking and Health

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will place in the Library a copy of (a) the grant application received from Action on Smoking and Health in May 2011 and (b) the revised grant application received from that organisation in June 2011.

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, for what reasons officials in his Department had discussions with Action on Smoking and Health on its grant application in June 2011; if he will place in the Library a copy of the minutes and notes from those discussions; and what action was taken as a result of those discussions.

Jane Ellison: The 2011/12 Grant Award letter to Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) set out the agreed objectives for the grant. The 2011/12 Grant Award letter has already been placed in the Library. Earlier drafts of applications for grant funding and additional supporting material are not published.It is normal practice for Departmental officials to discuss grant applications with the applicant. The application process is iterative to ensure the final objectives are in line with Departmental aims. A record of these discussions in 2011 is not available.

Physiotherapy: Waiting Lists

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department has taken to review the adequacy of waiting times to access NHS physiotherapy services; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department has taken to review the adequacy of NHS physiotherapy service provision; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: The Department has not undertaken a review of NHS physiotherapy service provision. However, scoping work has started regarding the ability for patients to self-refer to musculoskeletal physiotherapy within primary care.The provision of physiotherapy, as for all health services is decided by local clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) and it will take into account the needs of the population overall. The CCG’s decisions are underpinned by clinical insight and knowledge of local healthcare needs. As such, provision of services will vary in response to local needs.As defined in the NHS Constitution, patients have the right to expect to be seen and treated within national operational standards ensuing timely diagnosis and treatment, equality of care and patient choice.The 18 weeks commitment is a universal right. This commitment should be delivered for every patient, in every specialty and in every organisation unless the patient chooses otherwise or it is not in their best clinical interest.In June this year, NHS England, Monitor and the Trust Development Authority jointly wrote to CCG Accountable Officers and Clinical Leaders and Chief Executives of NHS Providers setting out the changes to the Referral to Treatment operational standards and reporting arrangements. A copy of that letter, which outlines the changes in more detail, is attached.



Changes to RTT letter
(PDF Document, 93.69 KB)

Malnutrition

Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people have been admitted to hospital with malnutrition in each of the last five years.

Jane Ellison: The information is not available in the format requested, however the Health and Social Care Information Centre has provided a count of finished admission episodes (FAEs)1 with a primary diagnosis2 of malnutrition in England for 2009-10 to 2013-14.Admissions do not represent the number of patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the period. This information is provided in the following table:YearFAEs2009-104652010-115312011-126522012-136672013-14621Notes:1 An FAE is the first period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. FAEs are counted against the year in which the admission episode finishes.2 The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 20 diagnosis fields in the Hospital Episode Statistics data set and provides the main reason why the patient was admitted to hospital.

General Practitioners: Retirement

Mrs Anne-Marie Trevelyan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the average retirement age of female GPs has been in each year from 2000 to 2014; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs Anne-Marie Trevelyan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the average retirement age of male GPs has been for each year from 2000 to 2014; and if he will make a statement.

Alistair Burt: This information is not held by the Department in the format requested.The average age at which a National Health Service pension is drawn for general practitioners is 62 for males and 61 for females. Pension scheme members must leave their employment in order to claim their pension. This can be done at any time after the age of 55.

Mental Health Services: Children

Ruth Cadbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what his departmental spending on children's mental health services will be in 2015-16.

Alistair Burt: It is not possible to give a total figure for investment in children and young people’s mental health in 2015-16, as there is no ring-fenced allocation and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) are commissioned variously by NHS England, clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), local authorities and schools.As such, there is no single budget for CAMHS, and expenditure on these services, including those commissioned by National Health Service organisations, is taken from general allocations with priorities for investment being determined locally.However, in addition to resources already available to local communities including through the NHS, local authorities, public health and education, the Government is investing an additional £173 million in 2015-16 to transform support for children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing, which will include £30 million for eating disorder services.

Doctors: Working Hours

Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether his Department has had discussions with medical organisations on the implications of the recent European Court of Justice ruling against Ireland on the Working Time Directive.

Ben Gummer: The Department has commissioned Health Education England to take forward the recommendations of the task group led by Professor Sir Norman Williams into the impact of the European Working Time Directive on the training of junior doctors.Health Education England has set up a specific working group to take this work forward, with membership including the Royal College of Surgeons and other stakeholders. The group is taking forward work on all the taskforce recommendations. This includes looking at the categorisation of training time and will consider the impact of the recent European Court of Justice ruling on Ireland. Health Education England will deliver an interim report to the Department in due course.

Junior Doctors: Conditions of Employment

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 16 October 2015 to Question 11738, what review his Department has conducted of the working conditions of junior doctors; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Gummer: The working conditions of junior doctors are a matter for employers. The new contract for doctors and dentists in training will introduce new, stronger limits on working hours and patterns and place a continued contractual obligation on employers to abide by those, ensuring a safer National Health Service for patients all days of the week.

Everolimus

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 16 October 2015 to Question 11615, on Everolimus, when he expects that a timetable for publication will be agreed.

George Freeman: NHS England is currently developingtwo policies for the provision of Everolimus – one for the Tuberous Sclerosis forComplex Related Renal Angiomyolipoma andone for SubependymalGiant Cell Astrocytoma (SEGA).Once completed, each policy will need to be considered by the relevant clinical panels, the Clinical Priorities Advisory Group and the Specialised Commissioning Oversight Group. It is anticipated that this process will be completed over the coming months and that the policies are likely be published early in the new year.

Social Services: Costs

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate his Department has made of the number of people in each Parliamentary constituency to whom the cap on care costs would have applied in 2016-17 if brought into force.

Alistair Burt: We remain committed to the implementation of the cap on care costs, which will offer financial protection and peace of mind. The decision to delay followed careful consideration of feedback from stakeholders that April 2016 was not the right time to implement these significant and expensive reforms. The benefits of the cap have had to be weighed against the need to focus on supporting local authorities in caring for the most vulnerable.Information regarding how many people will be affected by the delay by constituency is not held in the format requested.Means-tested financial support remains available for those who cannot afford to pay for care to meet their eligible needs.

Prisons: Drugs

Mr David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many times ambulances have been required to attend prisons as a result of emergency call-outs relating to (a) illegal drugs, (b) prescribed drugs and (c) psychoactive substances in the last 12 months.

Ben Gummer: Information about the frequency of emergency ambulance call-outs to prisons is not collected centrally by the Department or NHS England.In February 2013, the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) issued guidance to prisons and immigration removal centres operated by NOMS concerning emergency ambulance call-outs. This guidance, Prison Service Instruction (PSI) 03/2013 Medical Emergency Response Codes outlines the medical symptoms in a prisoner, but not behaviours such as drug misuse, for which a prison must always call out an emergency ambulance. This PSI is mandatory in all prisons in England.A copy of the guidance is available at:http://www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/offenders/psipso/psi-2013/psi-03-2013-medical-emergency-response-codes.doc